According to the Independent, Manchester United have shifted their attention from Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld to Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar.

Jose Mourinho remains determined to add a central defender this summer and had identified Spurs’ Toby Alderweireld. But the move has come to a standstill, partly due to the Belgian international’s demands, reports the Independent.

United’s shift of attention from Alderweireld to other targets should give us a huge boost. Since joining Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in 2015, Alderweireld has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

However, the 29-year-old missed six months of last season due to a hamstring injury and only returned in time to play four of Tottenham’s last five Premier League games. Alderweireld has just two years remaining on his contract and has turned down a new offer from the club.

But after Chairman Daniel Levy ripped his wage budget to secure Harry Kane and manager Mauricio Pochettino’s future at the club, Alderweireld must stay calm and sign an improved deal after he returns back to the club from the World Cup.

Pochettino has a glowing project at Tottenham and with good financial backing this summer, he should be able to compete for the Premier League title next season. If Alderweireld agrees to stay beyond this summer, it would be a massive lift for Spurs as the 29-year-old has formed a formidable defensive pairing with Jan Vertonghen.

And if we are to challenge for silverware, Pochettino has to retain his core members of the squad, including Alderweireld, now that United have switched their attention to Inter’s Milan Skriniar.