Spurs: Breakup or overhaul?
THERE was a time not so long ago when Manchester United fans mocked Tottenham for being their feeder club.
Michael Carrick left Tottenham for Old Trafford for £18.6million in 2006. Two years later, striker Dimitar Berbatov did the same thing, although Spurs were recipients of £30.75m this time. Spurs fans were, of course, livid.
So news that midfielder Eric Dier believes the grass is greener in red will have those very same Spurs fans clogging up radio phone-ins to vent their frustration yet again.
Tottenham finished second last season, their best finish for 54 years. Their team is widely considered to be one of the most talented and promising in the Premier League and many believe the title is within their grasp within the next few years.
The key is keeping together that squad and, with this news of Dier, comes the worry that the first crack has started to appear.
Dele Alli is another one bound to be courted by so-called bigger clubs, Harry Kane too. Rightback Kyle Walker is understood to be all but a Manchester City player so, on the face of it, Spurs fans could be justified in starting to worry.
But looking from another perspective, Dier was not the first choice in his preferred holding midfield role last season. That honour went to Victor Wanyama. In fact, Dier was often used in central defence and this has contributed to him considering his future.
United, including executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, have admired Dier for quite a while. The 23-year-old has won 19 England caps and established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the top flight – and he has told close friends that he is excited about the possibility of working under Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
He earns £70,000 a week at White Hart Lane and knows he could double his wages with a move to United, who are looking to splash yet more cash in the coming days following the £75m arrival of striker Romelu Lukaku, with Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic another on their radar.
United have been negotiating with Inter bosses since the end of last season without being able to strike a deal. But Mourinho remains determined to sign the Croatian international and has ordered United chiefs to thrash something out with their Italian counterparts.
Inter have been less than impressed with United’s dogged pursuit of Perisic, however.
Boss Luciano Spalletti is desperate to keep him with the Serie A side and ordered Perisic to join up with the rest of his squad for a pre-season training camp in Riscone di Brunico.
United remain determined to land Perisic before Inter travel to China and want him to join them in America instead.
Inter are holding out for a fee in the region of £55m, while United value him closer to the £45m mark.
As for Dier, if Spurs received £50m for a player deemed not first choice by his manager, who are they to argue… – Express
win the Ligue 1 title for the first time since 2000 last season. Arsenal boss Wenger is particularly keen on bringing Mbappe to the Emirates. The Gunners have already had an £87m bid turned down by Monaco for his services. And they have been told to stump up a world-record £130m if they want to sign the France international. Arsenal have since completed the club-record capture of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon. But France Football claim Arsene Wenger has not given up on signing Mbappe with the club having the financial capabilities to get a deal over the line. It is said the striker met with his compatriot on the 14th of June after France’s international friendly with England. The French outlet say the meeting lasted three hours and Wenger aimed to convince him to join the north London club. He apparently said a move to Arsenal would be the best possible choice for him and he could emulate his idol Thierry Henry.