Dean Saunders has urged Manchester United to scrap their deal for Harry Maguire and sign Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld instead.
The Red Devils have reportedly agreed an £80million fee with Leicester for Maguire, which would make the 26-year-old the world’s most expensive defender.
United’s long search for a new centre-back dates back to last summer when they tried to sign Alderweireld from Premier League rivals Spurs.
The 30-year-old is available for just £25million until Friday, due to a release clause in his contract, yet the Belgian looks set to remain a Tottenham player next season.
And Saunders believes United have missed a trick, insisting Alderweireld is a better defender than Maguire.
“It’s got ridiculous now, hasn’t it? £80million for Harry Maguire,” the Welshman told talkSPORT.
“It’s not his fault, but where is it going to stop?
“Would you take Toby Alderweireld for £25million or Harry Maguire for £80million? You can’t get your money back on Alderweireld, he’s 30, but he’s probably a better player right now.
“As a striker, I’d be thinking to myself, ‘If I can get Maguire out in the channels and get him isolated, he’s not mobile’.”
Roma have expressed an interest in Alderweireld, but the Tottenham centre-back insists he is not seeking a move away this summer.
“I’ve always said, I’m focused on Spurs and trying to deliver the job that I need to do,” he told reporters after the 3-2 victory over Juventus in the Audi Cup.
When asked if he expects to be a Spurs player at the beginning of the season, he replied: “Yes, that’s my focus.”
