Manchester United are determined to make life difficult for Tottenham Hotspur this summer, by offering £50million for the services of Eric Dier.
Jose Mourinho is keen to sign a defensive midfielder ahead of the new season, and it is understood that Dier has long been his top target. Interest in the England international cooled when Spurs made it clear he was not for sale, but the player is thought to be more than interested in making the move.
Dier lost his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s engine room to Victor Wanyama last season, and although he made 48 appearances, he was often asked to play in defence. He knows a move to Old Trafford would see him take up his preferred position, something of great importance to the player.
Daniel Levy has made it clear that the 23-year-old is not for sale, but his counterpart Ed Woodward will make life difficult for him by offering £50million for the boyhood United fan. Not only this, but Dier will more than double his current salary of £70,000-per-week by moving to Manchester.
The reason Mourinho appears to now be going all out for Dier is because his alternative, Nemanja Matic, no longer seems likely. United were closing on the signature of the Serbian international for around £25million, but relations with Chelsea have soured over the Romelu Lukaku affair.
The champions were in pole position to sign the Belgium international for much of the summer, only for United to take the Everton striker last week for an initial fee of £75million. Antonio Conte will now be reluctant to further strengthen Mourinho’s side by letting him add Matic to his options.
