Manchester United have not given up on signing Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld and still believe a deal can be done for the Belgium international.
United held talks with Tottenham at the end of last season and had hoped to conclude a £50m deal for Alderweireld before the World Cup.
However, Spurs demanded £75m for the 29-year-old and United are unwilling to stretch that far for a player that is available for £25m in 12 months time thanks to a clause in his contract.
United have explored other options, including AC Milan star Leonardo Bonucci but Alderweireld remains the Red Devils' main target.
United have not renewed talks with Spurs since May but the Independent claim the Red Devils are still confident a deal can be done for Alderweireld.
Spurs sold Kyle Walker to Manchester City last summer for £50m and there's a feeling that the club couldn't reject a similar amount for a player available for half the price next summer.
Alderweireld fell out of favour in north London last season and was replaced by Davinson Sanchez in Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI.
Mourinho dampened speculation that Alderweireld could join the club by confirming his starting defence for their Premier League opener against Leicester.
'Valencia, Smalling, Bailly and Shaw, they are probably the ones to start the season,' Mourinho said on Friday.
United have signed Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant so far this summer but Mourinho remains keen on signing a defender and a back-up forward.
Alderweireld has two weeks remaining of his summer holidays following his involvement in the World Cup and is unlikely to start the Premier League campaign regardless of which club he's at.
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