Manchester United are confident they will win the race to sign Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham this summer.

Spurs will sell the Belgium international after failing to agree a new contract with the centre-half, and will use the money to buy Ajax starlet Matthijs de Ligt.

Standard Sport understands that United are ready to spend in excess of £40million on the 29-year-old.

Talks between Tottenham and Alderweireld broke down this year after he rejected their last offer. It was believed to be worth around £120,000 a week, which is more than double the £50,000 a week he earns.

With Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona all interested, United are prepared to pay him considerably more than Spurs’ final proposal.

Unlike the north London club, United are also willing to give him a long-term deal that will keep him at Old Trafford into his mid-30s.

A serious hamstring injury was a key factor in the player making just 13 Premier League starts for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this season, but he was barely used after returning to fitness.

Pochettino appeared to suggest ahead of the club’s final game of the season that another meeting would be held with Alderweireld this week in an attempt to resolve matters.

However, no talks were scheduled and the former Atletico Madrid star is now on holiday in Greece.

Alderweireld’s situation is further complicated by a clause in his contract which has two years left to run. It states he can leave for just £25m next year if no fresh terms are agreed.

With clubs willing to spend far more than that this summer, Tottenham have already decided to let him go.

PSG are United’s main rivals for his signature. Chelsea have admired him for some time, but Newcastle United’s Jamaal Lascelles is their priority.

It has been reported that a bad relationship between United and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy could scupper any negotiations over Alderweireld. PSG are most likely to take advantage if that’s the case.

Another source has suggested United are prioritising buying a winger and midfielder ahead of finalising a deal for Alderweireld as they already have six central defenders.

However, Jose Mourinho, who considered bringing him to Chelsea in 2015, has criticised his backline for much of the campaign and is willing to sell in order to make room for Alderweireld.

Spurs have been monitoring De Ligt for some time and he has five caps for Netherlands despite being just 18.

Significantly he played alongside Davinson Sanchez in the Europa League Final for Ajax against Manchester United 12 months ago.

De Ligt broke through into the first team last season and formed a good understanding with Sanchez before Spurs bought him for £42m last August.

Ajax value De Ligt at around £50m, but Alderweireld’s sale will ensure meeting that will not be a problem.

Meanwhile, midfielder Mousa Dembele is looking to secure a move to a Chinese club this summer. He still has one year left on his contract, but Spurs are prepared to let him go.

Beijing Guoan continue to show an interest but the club have already used up their quota for foreign players.