Manchester United Looking To Sign Tottenham’s Eric Dier This Summer

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier to replace Michael Carrick this summer.

Tottenham’s Eric Dier Sought by Manchester United as Summer Signing

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.

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.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 05: Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)