Dier straits
> Defender stuns Spurs, tells friends he wants to join Man Utd and work with Mourinho <
ERIC DIER wants to leave Tottenham and sign for Manchester United this summer.
United manager Jose Mourinho has already splashed £75 million (RM413m) on Romelu Lukaku and now wants to test Tottenham’s resolve by bidding around £50 million (RM275m) for Dier, after missing out on Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.
And United are also hoping to push through a £40 million (RM220m) deal for Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic within the next week.
United were confident of signing Matic and held extensive talks with Chelsea about a £40 million deal. But all that changed once United blindsided the champions over Lukaku.
It has resulted in the Blues blocking Matic’s move to United and left Mourinho’s men having to look elsewhere.
It is understood Spurs value Dier in the £60 million (RM330m) bracket, which is about £20 million (RM110m) more than what United believe he’s worth.
But United still believe a compromise can be reached and know chairman Daniel Levy might be willing to accept a bid in the region of £50 million.
United have experience of dealing with Levy, who is a tough operator.
That follows deals United struck with Spurs for Michael Carrick in 2006 and Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.
United, however, will find negotiations with Tottenham tougher for Dier.
The England star is on their radar as Mourinho seeks the perfect player to compliment Paul Pogba in the heart of their midfield.
But Spurs will drive a hard bargain as always and vice- president Ed Woodward could have his work cut out.
Dier has told close friends he is excited about the possibility of working for Mourinho.
He earns £70,000 (RM385,000) a week at White Hart Lane and knows he could double his wages too.
Woodward is skipping their pre-season tour of America to tie up deals with Dier and Perisic.
United have already completed two transfers as Jose Mourinho aims to land the club a first Premier League title since 2013.
Victor Lindelof was the first arrival, finally swapping Benfica for Old Trafford six months after initially being linked with a move.
And the Red Devils completed their second transfer of the window earlier this week when they splurged on Lukaku.
Despite already tying up two deals, United are continuing to court Perisic and Dier.
And the Daily Mail claim Woodward has not flown out with the rest of the squad to America because he is hoping to secure the signatures of both players.
The 45-year-old has travelled with the squad in previous years but is solely focused on landing Mourinho two of his top summer targets.
Inter have so far resisted the Red Devils’ attempts to woo Perisic but United feel they are edging closer to a breakthrough in negotiations.
Though Luciano Spalletti’s side are demanding £48 million (RM264m) for the Croatia international, Woodward thinks £45 million (RM248m) could be enough to get the deal done.
Both clubs supposedly want the transfer completed by Thursday, when Inter fly out to China for their pre-season tour of the Far East. – Express Newspapers