Manchester United are ready to gain an advantage on Chelsea in their pursuit of the highly-rated centre-back Toby Alderweireld, The Sun reports.

The 29-year-old has been holding out for a pay rise at Spurs but that has seen his relationship with manager Mauricio Pochettino sour with the Argentine dropping the centre-back towards the end of last season.

United’s first choice, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, has been deemed too expensive by vice chairman Ed Woodward, so the club are set to target Alderweireld instead for £40m (Dh206m).

The Belgian has started all 14 Premier League games for Spurs this term but is keen on a new challenge after three seasons in north London.