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UNITED scouts are not entirely convinced about Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld – and the club have no plans to sign Juventus left-back, Alex Sandro, this summer – according to a high-level source at Old Trafford.
Alderweireld remains an option – and United are odds-on favourites to land him should he leave Spurs – but M.E.N. Sport understands the 29-year-old is not the preferred name on the club’s shortlist.
It is understood that scouts have expressed concerns about Alderweireld’s ‘profile’ and he is not a ‘100 per cent target’.
Tellingly, United are believed to value the player, who will have a £25m release clause in a year’s time, at around £20m less than Tottenham’s asking price of more than £70m.
The club are looking further afield to the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A for a potential starting centre-back, which has now become the priority this summer following the signings of Fred and Diogo Dalot.
M.E.N. Sport understands that as well as signing a new centre-back, Jose Mourinho is keen on buying a back-up striker and a left-back, although he considers Ashley Young and Luke Shaw to be ‘Ok’ options.
It is not yet known which left-backs United are monitoring but Sandro is no longer in their thoughts as he mulls over a new contract offer at Juventus.
United have been heavily linked with a move for the 27-year-old and reports in Italy claimed last month that a deal would be announced ‘within days’.
However, those noises have gone quiet in recent weeks. It is understood that Sandro is no longer a target and United may look at a younger, cheaper alternative as they have at right-back with the capture of Dalot.
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