Manchester United almost certain to sign Toby Alderweireld in January, says Jermaine Jenas

Former Tottenham star Jermaine Jenas has predicted that Toby Alderweireld will complete a move to Manchester United in the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old defender was at the top of Jose Mourinhos wishlist this summer but Spurs £60million asking price put the Red Devils off a potential deal.

Alderweireld is out of contract at the end of the season but Tottenham can extend his deal by another year which will trigger a release clause allowing United to sign the Belgian for only £25m during a two-week period at the end of next summer.

While Jenas believes that Alderweireld is crucial to Mauricio Pochettinos plans, he believes its almost inevitable that the centre-back will end up at Old Trafford before the end of the season.

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Spurs 100 per cent still need Toby. Davinson Sanchez is a good player but hes not the finished article and hes not better than Toby, Jenas told Express Sport.

Toby and Jan [Vertonghen] together is quite possibly the best or the second-best centre-half pairing in the world.

People probably argue Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos [at Real Madrid], who run them close. Why you wouldnt want that, I dont know.

“I think his age and the fact that hes started to pick up a few injuries doesnt help Toby.

From Uniteds point of view they were saying why should we pay £60m when we can get him for £25m in January?.

Im almost certain if hes not gone by the end of this window already, then hell go to United [in January].

United legend Rio Ferdinand revealed earlier this month that Alderweireld would have been his first-choice defensive target this summer.

I was in favour of bringing Toby Alderweireld from Spurs, Ferdinand said on BT Sport.

When playing regularly, I think hes within the top two or three centre-halfs in the country, in this league.

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I think hes a fantastic player, he proved it again at the World Cup after not playing so many games last season.

I thought he was a definite [to sign for Manchester United]… he would have been my go-to choice to be honest.

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