Barcelona enter race for Manchester United target

 

Barcelona are interested in signing Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld at the end of the season, claims The Daily Mirror.

 

Alderweireld was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United last summer but Jose Mourinho’s side baulked at Tottenham’s £75m asking price.

 

The Belgium international’s current Tottenham deal is due to expire at the end of the season and is unlikely to renew with the north London outfit.

 

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have an option to extend Alderweireld’s stay by a further season but that will also activate a £25m release clause in his contract during the final two weeks of the summer transfer window.

 

Barcelona have monitored Alderweireld’s future over the last 12 months and are expected to make a move for the 29-year-old at the end of the season.

 

Barcelona enter race for Manchester United target

 

 

The Spanish champions have also been heavily linked with a move for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, who is also a target for Tottenham, as well as Manchester City.

 

It remains to be seen whether United are still interested in the Belgian but they are expected to bolster their defensive options in January.

 

Since the start of last season no Premier League outfielder averages more accurate long balls than Alderweireld (7.9).