Manchester United will make a renewed £50million push to sign Eric Dier from Tottenham after accepting defeat in their pursuit of Nemanja Matic, according to the Guardian.
The newspaper claim that United are preparing to test Spurs’ resolve to keep the versatile England international this summer.
The Guardian report that Jose Mourinho’s team have already had one Dier bid rejected but “hope” that a sensational £50million offer may persuade Tottenham to cash in on one of their first team regulars.
It is said that Tottenham’s stance is they have no intention to offload the 23-year-old but, intriguingly, he is “receptive” to a transfer to Old Trafford.
Dier is keen to establish himself as a midfield anchorman and Mourinho is prepared to give him the opportunity to make the position his own.
At Tottenham, the player was the first-choice defensive midfielder in 2015-16 but the arrival of Victor Wanyama last summer meant he lost that status and he spent three-quarters of the campaign in defence.
It remains to be seen what plans Mauricio Pochettino has for Dier in the coming season, with the likelihood that his role will change depending on whether the manager uses a three-man defensive system or a more orthodox four-man backline.
The Telegraph reported on Friday that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has held extensive talks with his United counterpart Ed Woodward this summer about the transfer of Dier.
Mourinho is pushing hard to sign Dier and has stepped up his pursuit after hitting a brick wall in his bid to entice Matic from Chelsea.
United announced the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Everton on Saturday, which has ended their pursuit of Matic after a deal with the Premier League champions was reportedly close.