Tottenham are reportedly set to pursue Joachim Andersen, who is also a target for Manchester United, as a possible replacement option for Toby Alderweireld.
According to a report by The Independent, Joachim Andersen has been identified as the ideal target to replace Toby Alderweireld, who is being heavily linked with a move away from Tottenham. The Danish defender is also the subject of interest from Manchester United, who are in the market for a centre-back.
Joachim Andersen joined Sampdoria from FC Twente in the summer of 2017. But, it wasn’t until the latter stages of last season that the player managed to carve a place for himself in the first-team setup at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. But, after ending 2017-18 with five successive starts in the Serie A, he has gone on to finally become a mainstay at the back.
This season, the 22-year-old has started all but one game for Sampdoria, impressing with his prowess in the air and leadership abilities. Unsurprisingly, the bigwigs of European football have started casting their admiring glances towards him, with Tottenham and Manchester United among the clubs showing an interest.
Tottenham have a bevy of top class centre-backs at their disposal. But, the uncertain future of Toby Alderweireld, who is coincidentally heavily linked with Manchester United, means that the North London club need to be on the look-out for replacement options, considering the player is likely to leave in the summer.
Tottenham have exercised their option to extend Alderweireld’s contract by a year, meaning he will be available for a cut-price £25 million for a couple of weeks. Andersen is thus, a viable target to replace the Belgian defender, should he indeed make his way out of Spurs.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have a well documented history as to why they need a centre-back. Bolstering the heart of defence had already been a priority for Jose Mourinho, and the urgency has continued under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with a number of central defenders being linked over a possible summer move.
Andersen though, is only likely to be a backup target for Manchester United, for whom the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Milan Skriniar and Kalidou Koulibaly are reportedly seen as the preferred targets. Tottenham, on the other hand, view the 22-year-old as a like-for-like replacement for the Belgian, and someone who could be a long-term solution at the heart of their defence.
The player’s £35 million valuation is unlikely to faze either Manchester United or Spurs, particularly Tottenham, who could partly fund his transfer by using the £25 million proceeds from Alderweireld’s sale, should it happen.
As of now, Spurs’ move depends entirely on Alderweireld’s future, which does look bleak at the North London club. As for Manchester United, it remains to be seen if Andersen becomes a priority, or if they manage to land one of their top targets in the summer.
