Chelsea to rival Manchester United for Tottenham star

Chelsea are the latest side to enter the race for Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld, claims The Daily Mirror.

Alderweireld is widely expected to leave Tottenham in the summer after contract talks collapsed earlier this year.

The Belgium international’s current deal is due to expire at the end of next season, but Tottenham have an option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.

However, by doing so it will also trigger a £25m release clause in the summer of 2019 that will stay active up until the final 14 days of the transfer window.

Unless things change, it means Tottenham face the prospect of selling Alderweireld this summer when they can still command in the region of £40m for his signature.

Manchester United have been monitoring his future since it emerged contract talks with Tottenham broke down, but also face competition from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

Not only that, but Jose Mourinho will now have to fend off interest from former club Chelsea in order to sign the 29-year-old.

Antonio Conte’s side are eyeing defensive reinforcements in the summer with the long-term futures of David Luiz and Gary Cahill uncertain.

Tottenham would prefer to sell Alderweireld abroad than directly strengthen a Premier League rival and will hope PSG and Barcelona firm up their interest.

This season has been immensely frustrating for Alderweireld after enduring the longest injury lay-off of his career that kept him sidelined for three months.

No Premier League outfielder averages more long balls per game than Alderweireld this season (9.1).