Manchester United are plotting a move for Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believed to be an admirer of the England international.
A target of United's in previous windows, Dier has struggled for regular game-time at Spurs this season, making just seven Premier League starts in 2019/20.
According to The Daily Star, Solskjaer is after a number of midfield targets as United plan a summer makeover that includes replacing Paul Pogba - who looks increasingly set to leave Old Trafford before the start of next season.
While Jack Grealish and James Maddison are being looked at to serve in more advanced roles, the Red Devils have apparently earmarked Dier as someone who can give defensive cover, while his versatility and ability to play in defence is an added plus.
Dier's contract is up in 2021 and he so far has shown little interest in penning an extension due to the lack of opportunities. The former Sporting CP player has seen little to no increase in his game-time despite Jose Mourinho's arrival as manager and hasn't started a Premier League game since before Christmas.
As a result, owner Daniel Levy is prepared set to sell Dier before he enters the final year of his deal, in order to avoid a situation in which another player can hold the club to ransom in the last months of their contract.
Spurs have already been forced to sell Christian Eriksen for as little as £17m this year, which is a fraction of what he might otherwise have been worth had he not had less than six months on his contract. Meanwhile, Jan Vertonghen is out of contract this summer and will leave as a free agent in June if nothing changes. In Dier's case, it seems Tottenham are prepared to sell for a profit while they still can.
Dier's suitors United head to Stamford Bridge on Monday to take on rivals Chelsea in what is set to be a crunch game in the battle for European qualification.
Source : 90min