Manchester United have made Spurs a take it or leave it bid for Toby Alderweireld.

The Old Trafford giants were clear they will not go above £40million for the Belgium international defender, who will see his value plummet to just £25m in six months' time.

And boss Jose Mourinho has told his club board to explore alternatives if Tottenham continue to play hardball over their valuation of around £55m for the 29-year-old.

United have made contact with Bayern Munich over former Man City defender Jerome Boateng, who is also interesting French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

But Alderweireld remains their number one target, and we understand United have returned with a final offer for the defender, which has has been delivered to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

(Image: PA Wire)

Spurs have been holding out for a fee well in excess of £50m for the experienced centre-half, even though he has just nine months remaining on his contract.

The London club do have an option to extend that deal by 12 months, but that would also automatically trigger a clause which allows him to leave for £25m.

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Alderweireld has warned he will refuse to sign a new contract, the Old Trafford board believe that will eventually force Tottenham's hand.

(Image: Getty)

Spurs refused to select the Belgian at the end of last season as he stalled on contract negotiations, and the board face a situation of paying the player over the next six months for no return.

United have also sounded out the prospect of a bid for England World Cup star Harry Maguire, but Leicester have bluntly told them he is not for sale this summer at any price — and the player is thought to have accepted that situation.