Manchester United could face stiff competition to sign Toby Alderweireld

Toby Alderweireld will reportedly be offered a much more appealing offer

José Mourinho was keen to bring Toby Alderweireld to Manchester United during the summer, but ultimately was not able to persuade the club's board to cough up the cash to sign him from Tottenham Hotspur. And he has not exactly shied away from making his frustrations known. He has played midfielders in defence on more than one occasion, using Scott McTominay as a political pawn in his ongoing battle with the board over transfer policy. And it looks as though José's misery will be compounded in January, as Barcelona are reportedly set to launch a bid for Alderweireld. Barcelona let Yerry Mina leave for Everton in the summer and Gerard Piqué's poor form, as well as his age has raised concerns about the team's defensive options. The club currently have three left-sided centre-back options, with Samuel Umtiti, Thomas Vermaelan, and Clement Lenglet, but have just one right-sided central defender in Gerard Piqué after Javier Mascherano left for Hebei China Fortune last season. Barça have conceded more goals than ten other LaLiga teams this season, and are in the market for a new centre-back to shore up their defensive line as the Catalan giants attempt to retain their league title. Toby Alderweireld would fit the bill at Barça, as an accomplished defender and an exceptional passer. His partnership with Jan Vertonghen both at Spurs and with the Belgian national side has developed into one of the strongest in world football, and Spurs will be desperate not to lose one of their most valuable assets midway through the season. Manchester United may therefore have to look elsewhere for a new defender. Mourinho's other defensive transfer target, Harry Maguire, recently signed a new contract with Leicester City, meaning that an astronomical fee would be needed for Leicester to consider parting with their star defender.