Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier to replace Michael Carrick this summer.
According to The Sun’s Neil Ashton, Mourinho has long sought after the 23-year-old English star, whom Tottenham value at over £40 million ($49.75 million).
BBC News’ Neil Henderson tweeted The Sun’s page reporting the story.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Mourinho said he believes Dier could be “the perfect replacement” for Carrick, who has proved to be a key player on United’s roster but is now 35 and approaching the end of his career.
Dier has actually played most of this season under Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino as a center-back, although his natural position is as a defensive midfielder. The 2015-2016 season was his breakout campaign with Tottenham.
Ashton added that the potential of “doing business with Tottenham is fraught with complications.”
Pochettino, for his part, has insisted Dier is not leaving the club anytime soon. The manager signed his own five-year deal with Tottenham in May, ending rumors of him leaving for United.
Dier has a contract with Hotspur that runs to 2021, only signed last September.
It seems likely that if Tottenham did by any chance consider selling him, that it would not be to a rival Premier League club.
Hotspur are currently trying to simultaneously put together a competitive team and build an £800 million ($995 million) stadium. The new 61,000-seat venue is expected to be ready for the 2018-19 season.
Every player on Tottenham’s current roster is tied to a long-term contract except for Erik Lamela, who has two years remaining on his deal.
To add insult to injury, Sean McVay announced on Monday that the Los Angeles Rams…
The Panthers named Andy Dalton as their new starting quarterback earlier this week, relieving 2023…
Once known as the worst clutch quarterback in the NFL, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins…
On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve with a concussion.…
The Chicago Bears learned the hard way last week that not all wins are pretty.…
Quarterback Daniel Jones has had to field multiple questions about negative Giants fans last week.…