Tottenham set to sign ex-Manchester United defender

Tottenham are set to sign Ezekiel Fryers, having initially missed out on the defender when he left Manchester United in the summer transfer window, reports the Daily Mail.

Fryers decided against signing a new Manchester United contract at the end of last season but joined Belgian club Standard Liege despite Spurs seemingly being the favourites to claim his signature.

Manchester United could have commanded £6 million in compensation had Fryer joined Spurs as he is aged under 23 but, according to the Daily Mail, Andre Villas-Boas will sign the 20-year-old for half that fee from Standard Liege.

Fryers has made seven appearances for Liege so far this season but they are reported to be prepared to sell, while Spurs have identified the youngster as back-up for Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

The former England under-19 international made his senior debut for Manchester United in September 2011 and went on to play a further five times for Sir Alex Ferguson's side before leaving last year.