The transfer window will officially open on Thursday.

Due to the fact that Premier League managers voted for the window to close before the start of the 2018/19 season on August 11, the FA have had to move the opening date forward to comply with FIFA rules.

After Manchester City's dominant season - amassing 100 points and winning 32 games - this summer is pivotal for the teams directly below the champions.

Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all need to spend some serious cash in order to bridge the gap to Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side.

Liverpool are actually the second favourites with the bookies for the title next season, which will come as a bit of a blow to United fans.

The Red Devils were tipped to fight for the title this season, but have been unable to keep up with City, finishing 19 points behind them.

Jose Mourinho knows he needs to make a number of high-profile signings in the summer and the manager and club are now confident of making a stunning acquisition.

The Evening Standard are reporting that United feel they will win the race for Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld, with the club willing to pay £40m to sign the Belgian.

And Spurs are already planning for life without him, with the north London club looking to spend that money on highly-rated Ajax defender Mathias de Light - they do love plucking players from the Dutch club.

Alderweireld's contract states that he would be free to leave for only £25m next summer, making it ever more likely that Spurs will cash in.

United fans have not exactly been singing the praises of their central defenders this season, with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and even Eric Bailly not spared from criticism.

It's clear that the department is the one that requires the most investment and bringing in Alderweireld would be one of the biggest deals of the summer.

Add Alex Sandro to that mix and United really are in business.