Dier boost for Jose

UNITED have been offered encouragement in their pursuit of Eric Dier, with the Tottenham midfielder said to be open to a move to Old Trafford.

Jose Mourinho has identified the England international as one of his main targets as he looks to find a long-term successor for Michael Carrick.

Nemanja Matic is another option as a holding midfielder.

But after hijacking Chelsea’s move for Romelu Lukaku, United accept the Premier League champions may be reluctant to strengthen Mourinho’s team further.

A move for Dier was always considered complicated by Old Trafford’s hierarchy, with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy a notoriously hard negotiator.

But Dier’s interest in working with Mourinho could prove decisive.

The 23-year-old grew up a United supporter and could double his wages with a move away from Spurs, where he currently earns around £70,000a-week.

Tottenham remain adamant he is not for sale - but that has not put United off in their pursuit.

It is now a question of how high Ed Woodward is prepared to go particularly if Chelsea block Matic’s

move. United’s executive vice chairman has already proved he is willing to spend heavily on Mourinho’s top targets, with Lukaku set to become the most expensive player in history once his add-ons are met - taking his £75m transfer from Everton to £90m. Dier fits the profile of the players Mourinho is trying to bring in this summer - in his early to mid-20s and capable of forming the nucleus of a team for the long-term.