Manchester United are trying to sign Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham.
Manchester United are continuing to try and sign Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham in a saga which could run right up until the transfer deadline.
Spurs are hoping to sign Anthony Martial in part exchange but United are reluctant to let the Frenchman leave to join a competitor, with The Telegraph reporting their plans to block any approach from Tottenham.
Perhaps instead, Tottenham should demand to sign Juan Mata in part exchange.
Mata is 30-years-old and selling him will not scare United like it would Martial.
The Red Devils signed Mata for £37.5 million from Chelsea in 2014 under David Moyes.
He has been a steady yet unspectacular signing for United, with his best form in the Premier League coming at Chelsea.
It was United boss Jose Mourinho who sold him to United, and the manager may be open to doing so again if it meant landing Alderweireld.
The Spaniard needs a fresh challenge, under Mourinho in the Premier League he started 19 games out of 38 two years ago and 23 matches last season.
For Spurs he could still be a tremendous addition, helping share the creative burden with Christian Eriksen.
Getting Mata in would represent a late win for Spurs, and if they can’t get Martial, the Spaniard should be their next option.
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