Report: Mourinho scouts Alderweireld ahead of January pursuit
It appears that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was on a scouting mission during his trip to Brussels to watch Belgium's UEFA Nations League win over Iceland.
Without any of his own players to watch - namely Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini who were left out of Roberto Martinez's squad - it's understood that United boss was in attendance to get a closer look at Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.
Mourinho's admiration for the center-back dates back to last summer before chairman Ed Woodward lost interest in Alderweireld because of Tottenham's asking price.
But now it appears that Mourinho will make yet another push to sign the 29-year-old in the January transfer window, according to James Robson of the Evening Standard.
Similar to last summer, United have been willing to veto Mourinho's transfer wishes. But the Portuguese manager has been told that there are funds available for reinforcements in January.
A pursuit of Alderweireld is expected to yield less resistance from Tottenham, as his £25.4 million valuation from last summer will likely be significantly lower if United pursues him in January.
If United fail for a second time, Leicester City defender Harry Maguire could be viewed as an alternative, according to Robson.
A move for a new defender in January will likely occur after United reportedly parts ways with out-of-favor defenders Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly.