Manchester United board sanction £40m Toby Alderweireld transfer after Jose Mourinho talks

Manchester United will pursue a £40million move for Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld in January after Jose Mourinho urged his board to sign a defender.

The Red Devils have shipped 26 goals in 16 league games this term and Mourinho was furious that the club failed to sign an experienced centre-back last summer.

Mourinho feels that failure has cost United but Ed Woodward, the clubs executive vice-chairman, saw little value in meeting Spurs £75m valuation of Alderweireld.

However, the Belgian is entering the final six months of his deal in north London and – even if Spurs trigger a 12-month extension clause in his deal – he will be available for £25m this summer.

United feel this will pressurise the club into selling and have agreed to target the Belgium international next month with the club hopeful that they will not pay a penny over £40m.

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Mourinhos first choice defender is said to be Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly but the 27-year-old is valued at around £90m and United are unlikely to sanction a world record move for the defender.

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The Senegalese star is believed to have told United that hed be open to a move but he signed a new long-term deal with Napoli last summer and a move in January appears unlikely.

Mourinho is expected to ring the changes for Uniteds final Champions League group game against Valencia with Sergio Romero, Andreas Pereira, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay all expected to start.

MORE: Jamie Redknapp warns Jurgen Klopp about a major threat to Liverpools Premier League title hopes

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