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.

Sir Alex Ferguson is set to return to the dugout at Old Trafford this summer as manager of Manchester United for midfielder Michael Carrick’s testimonial game against the Red Devils.

Alex Ferguson to Return as Manchester United Boss for Michael Carrick Game

The game is scheduled for June 4th at Old Trafford, with former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp in charge of Carrick’s All-Star starting eleven.

That team will include players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs. and Michael Owen.

Ferguson will lead a squad comprising of players from United’s 2008 team that won the Premier League and Champions League that season. The 75-year-old former Red Devils boss won 38 trophies during his time in charge of the team, retired in 2013 after leading United to its 20th top-flight title.

Carrick was signed by Ferguson in 2006, and went on to play more than 300 games for the club and win five league titles: the FA Cup, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, and the league cup twice.

Current United manager Jose Mourinho recently stated he has encouraged Sir Alex to travel with the first team to games, and has also invited his predecessor to join players in the dressing room.

Mourinho said, as quoted by the Daily Mirror: “After I arrived, he came in again. He came back to visit the people he worked with for so many years. And he travelled with us once again.

“And that’s what I said to him, ‘It doesn’t make sense that we’re playing in London and go on a private train and you, Sir Alex, will go by car. You’re not going by car. No. Go by train, with the team’.

“But he is so respectful that he becomes even a little shy in this approach. We have to make him feel loved.”

Carrick’s situation with the Red Devils, meanwhile, remains uncertain. The 35-year-old’s contract expires this summer, and no new deal has yet been reached.

The former Tottenham and West Ham midfielder has stated he would like to retire should he not be offered a contract extension by United, for whom he has played for over 10 years.

United won their Premier League game at Middlesbrough on Sunday 3-1. They next host West Brom on April 1 for another Premier League matchup.

The Red Devils also announced Monday that they are planning a tour to the United States this July ahead of the 2017-18 Premier League season. The team will play games in five cities, four of which have been announced: Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C. The fifth city will be announced soon.

United did not confirm details of dates, opposition or venues in a statement on their official website, although they are expected to play some fixtures as part of the preseason International Champions Cup (ICC) tournament.

The Red Devils previously played in the ICC in the U.S. in 2014 and in 2015, when they played Barcelona and PSG at NFL stadiums.

SWANSEA, WALES – NOVEMBER 06: United player Michael Carrick in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium on November 6, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has stated he may retire from soccer should the club not offer him a new contract by this summer, when his current deal expires.

Manchester United Midfielder Michael Carrick May Retire If No New Contract

The 35-year-old English star and United vice-captain says he hasn’t discussed the subject with manager Jose Mourinho, but says the conversation will happen eventually.

“I haven’t really had that much of a conversation with him [Mourinho] at the moment,” said Carrick. “Obviously that will happen, it’s going to happen at some stage, pretty soon I’d have thought. That’s something I’m really relaxed about. I’m sure he is as well. [Retirement] almost depends on how long I’m here. I don’t think there’s many places I’d want to play, if any, after this anyway.

“I probably would say yes – that would be it if I left in the summer. I couldn’t say definitely but pretty much. I’ve had such a time here, that I don’t think [I would go elsewhere]. I feel really good, to be honest. You’ve just got to judge how you go. It can change quite quickly. I feel fine. It’s a good place to be at the minute, there is real positivity around the place and hopefully [there are] things this season that we can achieve, and that keeps me going.”

Carrick joined United in 2006 from Tottenham Hotspur and has since won five Premier League titles, two league Cups, an FA Cup, a FIFA World Club Cup and the 2008 UEFA Champions League.

It was announced Thursday that he has been awarded a testimonial by United to play in the June 4 matchup between his All-Star team and 2008 Man U team.

Carrick has made 22 appearances in all competitions this season with United, winning 17, tying four and losing just once against Hull City in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.

United next host Bournemouth in Saturday’s Premier League game.

SWANSEA, WALES – NOVEMBER 06: United player Michael Carrick in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Manchester United at Liberty Stadium on November 6, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)