Chelsea Determined To Beat Man Utd To Signing Of £55m PL Star

The transfer window is closed but managers are working hard on their plans for the summer so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, the latest on Toby Alderweireld…

Chelsea are determined to beat Manchester United to the signing of Toby Alderweireld as the £55m-rated defender edges closer to the exit door at Tottenham, according to the Mirror.

Alderweireld has been one of the best defenders in European football since joining Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in 2015 following an impressive season on loan at Southampton.

However, the 29-year-old’s future in north London is in serious doubt as his current contract has just over a year left to run and Spurs are reportedly refusing to meet his £150,000-a-week wage demands.

Tottenham have the option to trigger a one-year extension tying Alderweireld to the club until 2020 but that new deal would include a clause that will allow him to leave for just £25m in the summer of 2019 – as long as any transfer is completed at least 14 days before the closure of the window.

It means Spurs will have to cash-in this summer while they can still command a sizeable transfer fee or risk losing Alderweireld at well below market value next year.

The situation has alerted rival clubs in England as the Mirror claims Chelsea and Man Utd are battling it out to sign Alderweireld at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho is expected to be in the market for a new centre-back with Phil Jones and Chris Smalling tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer and Alderweireld has emerged as a prime target for United.

However, the Mirror claims that Chelsea are determined to win the race and will step up their pursuit of the Belgian international as they look to replace David Luiz – who’s expected to leave Stamford Bridge after falling out-of-favour.

Alderweireld is struggling to force his way back in to Mauricio Pochettino’s side since returning to full fitness so the chances of him signing a new deal are slim if he doesn’t become a regular again over the coming weeks.

So Chelsea and United will have been pleased with Pochettino’s comments yesterday after he confirmed he’s not going to change his system just to make room for Alderweireld.

Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has warned the defender he will lose his place at the World Cup if he’s not a regular with Spurs but Pochettino has made it clear he’s putting Tottenham’s needs above the player’s.

He’s quoted as saying by the Mirror:

“I have an amazing relationship with Roberto. I understand his comment, like all the managers. Toby in the last four months has struggled with his injury.

“I am not going to change the system because Toby needs games for the World Cup. I need to pick two centre-backs and if you are happy you keep the couple of players and he needs to wait.

“The interest for me is Tottenham, it’s about Tottenham winning. I understand his international manager but what can I do?”

So it sounds like Alderweireld faces a fight to force his way back in to Pochettino’s side and the Mirror claim Tottenham are demanding £55m for his signature this summer – although they may need to settle for a figure closer to £40m.

READ MORE–> Man Utd transfer news | Chelsea transfer news | Spurs transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things develop but I think Alderweireld would be a superb signing for Chelsea or United if either club could get a deal agreed this summer.