Talks for Alderweireld stall between Tottenham and Manchester United

Manchester United have been served a blow in their pursuit of Toby Alderweireld after failing to haggle Tottenham down to a £55m deal, claims the London Evening Standard.

Jose Mourinho has earmarked Alderweireld as a top transfer target as the United manager looks set to sign a new centre-back for the third summer in a row.

The Belgium international dropped down the pecking order at Tottenham last season after falling to agree terms on a new contract with the club, coupled with a three-month injury lay-off midway through the campaign.

Alderweireld has entered the final 12 months of his existing Tottenham deal, although Mauricio Pochettino’s side have an option to extend his stay by a further season.

However, by doing so Tottenham will activate a £25m release clause in Alderweireld’s deal, valid up until the final 14 days of the summer transfer window in 2019.

United were hopeful of paying no more than £55m to sign the 29-year-old, but Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is trying to command a fee closer to the £75m Liverpool paid Southampton for Virgil Van Dijk in January.

The Red Devils have no intentions of paying that much for the Belgian centre-back and any hopes of completing a deal before the 2018 World Cup look slim.

Alderweireld has recently conceded Tottenham are in control of his future, while the fact United are now being linked with Sevilla centre-back Clement Lenglet would also confirm difficulties getting a deal for Alderweireld over the line.

No outfielder completed more long balls per Premier League game this season than Alderweireld (7.9).