Manchester United Opinion: Why Man United must sign Toby Alderweireld?

Harry Maguire is a wanted man this summer, with both Manchester United and Manchester City interested in signing the Leicester City defender to their squads.

Since joining Leicester in 2017, Maguire has become a regular international for England as well as one of the most consistent centre-backs in the Premier League.

A fine 2018 World Cup only enhanced his reputation further, and the 26-year-old now looks almost certain to be making a big-money transfer to Manchester during this summer window.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has identified Maguire as his top defensive target this summer. The Metro claim the Red Devils have had their latest bid of £70million rejected, as Leicester are believed to be holding out for a fee of £90million for their star defender.

As things stand, United remain the only serious bidder but not at a price where Leicester’s ownership would be prepared to sell. With that in mind, should they meet the Foxes’ valuation for Maguire?

Certainly, not! In fact, the Red Devils must revive their interest in Tottenham star, Toby Alderweireld.

Tottenham chose to activate Toby Alderweireld’s one-year extension earlier this year but this triggered a £25m summer release clause, as per the Guardian. Due to his experience and pedigree, it was expected that many clubs would be lining up to sign the centre-back this summer, but that hasn’t been the case.

The Belgian defender was on United’s radar for much of the last summer but no deal happened and he had a solid 2018/19 season with Spurs.

However, Alderweireld is out of contract in 2020 and looks to be on his way out of North London. This could be the best time for Solskjaer to prise the 30-year-old from Spurs in order to bolster his backline ahead of the new campaign.

Solskjaer wants young players with the hunger and desire to fight until the last. That has been evident so far this summer with the club moving for both Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Alderweireld is 30 and doesn’t fit the bill; nevertheless, he is exactly the type of defender United need at the moment.

United have lacked a leader in defence for some years now, with Solskjaer’s side leaking more than 50 goals this past season. Victor Lindelof was the only defender to emerge with some credit and a player like Alderweireld beside him can help transform United’s defence.

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A modern-day defender, Alderweireld has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League for the last few years now.

His comfort in bringing the ball out of the back, his reading of the game and good turn of pace make the Belgian such a quality centre-half. He’s the leader at the back United have been crying out and Solskjaer must do everything to get him on board.

Verdict

Available for around £25m, Alderweireld would be a massive coup for United as he has the quality to transform Solskjaer’s defence and make his team title challengers next term.