After managing to once again finish in the top four, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has ambitious plans for the club. However, one of the biggest tasks will be to retain the existing squad while being able to improve on certain aspects. Pochettino will be aware that a number of clubs will be coming into the market trying to sign players like Dele Alli, Harry Kane, and Christian Eriksen. All these players have caught the eye in the 2016-17 Premier League campaign. The expectation has turned true, as Spurs have reportedly (Source: Daily Star) rejected a mammoth offer from Manchester United for the transfer of Eric Dier.
The midfielder has been one of the unsung players of this campaign, in which Spurs managed a second place finish. Our desire to sign a new midfielder has been well documented, ever since Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger were allowed to leave the club a few months ago. Back then, we seemed surplus on midfield options, but it is clear that the current squad is not capable of playing on all four fronts. When the team is dreaming about a return to the former glory days, fighting on all four fronts is essential in order to achieve one success or the other.
Eric Dier has been a major presence in the Tottenham team since his move from Sporting Lisbon back in 2014. While the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli may receive all the plaudits for their goals and assists, it should not be forgotten that Spurs finished with the best defensive record of any team in the last league campaign. Spurs ended up conceding only 26 goals – an incredible seven goals better than champions Chelsea. Eric Dier’s presence just in front of the back four has been a crucial element towards this impeccable record.
United did not do too badly in the defensive department, after ending up with the second best defensive record in the league with 29 goals conceded. The team may not have a problem in terms of the existing personal, but manager Jose Mourinho is very much aware that Michael Carrick cannot continue playing for a long at the top level. Furthermore, the use of Ander Herrera in a defensive midfield position robs the team of his excellent vision going forward. United are expected to tinker with regard to the midfield next season, and the signing of Dier could be a major sign in the right direction.
However, Spurs have reportedly rejected a mammoth £50 million offer for the midfielder. In such a scenario, it looks highly unlikely that the London outfit will be interested in selling Dier, who has a contract with Spurs until June 2021.
