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Man Utd news: Toby Alderweireld delivers key transfer update amid Tottenham exit links
MANCHESTER UNITED have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Toby Alderweireld after the defender said he is “very happy” at Tottenham.
Toby Alderweireld plays rondo with team during US tour
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was keen on signing the Belgian last summer but was not leveraged the cash to do so.
Tottenham struggled to agree a new deal with Alderweireld as he sought a pay rise and move away, but triggered a one-year extension in January which keeps him in north London until June 2020.
In doing so, Spurs activated a clause which means the 30-year-old has a £25million release clause.
For one of the outstanding centre-backs in the league, the fee is meagre in comparison to others on the market.
Alderweireld has now suggested he may be willing to sign a new long-term contract with the club, however.
"There's a lot to play for this season,” he told Sky Sports while on international break with Belgium.
“And in the end I have a year contract left at Spurs, so I don't look further than this season.
"Other things I don't know. I am very happy at Spurs, so we will see what the future brings.
I am very happy at Spurs, so we will see what the future brings
"I still feel very fit. I think I played a lot of minutes this season so I showed that I am fit - I don't feel 30, I feel younger.
"So as I said, I am very happy and I just try to watch game-by-game.
“This season there is a lot to play for so I will give my best for that."
Alderweireld has started more Premier League games than any other Spurs player this term, as they side juggles a top-four race with a tasty Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.
United white-collars were reluctant to spend at the heart of defence last summer again after splashing over £60m on Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof the two previous campaigns.
Lindelof has emerged as the senior centre-half at the club alongside Chris Smalling, who signed an improved contract this season alongside Phil Jones.