Manchester United to back Jose Mourinho and sign Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld

[Glasgow]

The transfer window for Europe's biggest clubs may be closed but they are still working tirelessly behind the scenes to line up the arrival of their next star. Transfer Talk has been scouring the world's media to see who could be heading to your club when Jan. 1 arrives.

Jose given green light to sign Alderweireld
It is not often one of the best centre-backs in Europe becomes available on the relative cheap but that is the case with Toby Alderweireld and Jose Mourinho has reportedly been given the go-ahead to sign the Spurs defender in January, according to the Sun.

Alderweireld's contract is due to expire next year but while Tottenham are able to trigger a one-year extension, it would in turn activate a £25 million release clause for the final two weeks of the summer transfer window.

So there is a chance Spurs may be open to letting the Belgium international leave in January if they receive an enticing offer.

Man United's first choice centre-back target is Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly but, at £90m, he would prove very expensive.

At 29, Alderweireld is two years older but the paper claims that Mourinho believes he could get him for around £40m and was reportedly given the green light during a meeting with his agent Jorge Mendes and United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward last week.

Club policy could see Chelsea lose Luiz
Chelsea have a long-standing policy of only offering players over the age of 30 one-year extensions and that could be set to force David Luiz out of Stamford Bridge -- despite the player and manager both wanting the Brazil international to remain, reports the Guardian.

Luiz will be out of contract next summer which means he is able to negotiate with clubs from abroad in January.

The 31-year-old and manager Maurizio Sarri have both stated publicly they want him to stay beyond this season but Chelsea's hierarchy have reaffirmed their position when it comes to only offering one-year deals to players over 30, leaving the door open for clubs to lure the ex-PSG and Benfica man away by offering a longer contract.

United and Arsenal want the 'new Toni Kroos'
Manchester United and Arsenal have set their sights on Hertha Berlin wonderkid Arne Maier, if the Sun's report is to be believed.

The midfielder is 19 years old and has already been labelled as the next Toni Kroos -- the Germany and Real Madrid star.