Man Utd wanted to sign Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane
It’s suggested club bigwigs would have been ready to sanction a £100m move for Varane given his standing in world football.
However, the Real ace is tied to the Bernabeu until 2022 and is potentially worth considerably more.
Varane has been a standout performer for Real in recent years.
He also has a solid relationship with Mourinho who handed him his Real debut.
Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho wanted Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane (Image: GETTY)
Alderweireld always looked the most likely arrival during the summer - and a deal could still happen in January.
He has less than a year remaining on his current contract, with an option for a one-year extension that includes a £25m release clause.
The Belgium international insists he was never close to a Tottenham departure though.
"Everyone was saying everywhere that I absolutely wanted to leave Tottenham," Alderweireld said.
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