29-year-old Belgium and Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld is allegedly edging ever closer to a move to Manchester United. However, Lazy Fan have learned that Daniel Levy and Spurs are demanding a massive £70 million for the centre-back.
Considering his age, it seems unlikely that Jose Mourinho and Man U would be willing to pay that. United have also been linked with Harry Maguire who is rated at a similar price but four years younger than Alderweireld.
Recent performance
Last season, Alderweireld battled with a hamstring injury which kept him out of the team for a few months. As a result, he only managed 14 appearances in the Premier League keeping 5 clean sheets. Overall in his Premier League career, he has played 108 times in three seasons at Tottenham and one at Southampton. In that time, he has helped his teams to 41 clean sheets meaning his sides keep a clean sheet every 2.6 games when he is present.
Despite his injury hit season, he was selected for Belgium’s World Cup squad and he helped them to a third place finish in the tournament. He played six of Belgium’s seven tournament wins and was pivotal to the country achieving their greatest ever World Cup finish.
What would the move mean for Spurs?
If the deal is to go through, and at the moment that is a big IF, Spurs wouldn’t have very long to replace him. They are still one of only two Premier League teams this Summer not to have brought in any new faces, and they’re running out of time to do so.
On the list for potential replacements for Alderwiereld is 22-year-old German, Jonathan Tah. He currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen and is widely rated as one of the best young defenders the game has to offer. However, the club have been told that this one would be highly unlikely, unless there’s big money involved.
A more realistic option for Mauricio Pochettino is Espanyol’s David Lopez. Lopez isn’t exactly young but at 28, but he would offer versatility. He can play at both centre-back and central-defensive midfield. Pochettino reportedly wants to sign him so he can be used for cover in midfield as well as defence should Victor Wanyama also be sold.
However, if Toby Alderweireld doesn’t end up being sold, then don’t expect any incoming defenders at the new ‘Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’.
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