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Manchester City have entered the race to sign Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to TeamTalk.

The Belgium international has a £25million release clause in his contract and is seemingly poised to leave the club once the transfer window reopens.

What’s the word?

Manchester United have long been seen as favourites to land Alderweireld, according to the report.

But City have entered the race as they look to bolster their defence in the transfer window.

The report claims that the Premier League champions want a long-term partner for Aymeric Laporte, with Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones both failing to convince the club’s hierarchy. Vincent Kompany, too, is a constant injury doubt.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and PSG are also interested in signing Alderweireld.

But the Belgium international is said to be keen to stay in England.

United deal suits Spurs better

Pochettino needs a replacement to Alderweireld.

And TeamTalk claim that United remain confident of signing the Belgian, while Spurs could potentially return to Old Trafford to sign his successor.

Pochettino is said, per the report, to be keen on the potential signing of Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly.

Alderweireld’s departure will leave a major hole at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so elite have his performances been.

Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen are likely to become Pochettino’s first-choice partnership in the 30-year-old’s stead, but Bailly would offer an excellent alternative.

Sending Alderweireld to Old Trafford would surely smooth that path over.

Daniel Levy, then, either needs to do business quickly before City’s interest becomes concrete or attempt to convince Alderweireld to move to Old Trafford instead of the Etihad.

It remains to be seen if that can be done, however.