This is incredible. Absolutely incredible.
Do you remember those reports linking Manchester United with move for Eric Dier? Apparently, Jose Mourinho identified the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder/defender as a key target, and Spurs quoted a price of £40m.
There wasn’t a positive reaction among United fans to the idea of Dier moving Old Trafford.
key player? He can't even get a game at spurs.
— DeepestRed (@DeepestRed_) March 28, 2017
However, since those reports in March, United have been linked with several midfielders, and there hasn’t been much talk of signing Dier – until now.
We hope you’re sitting down, United fans, because it seems like there is genuine interest in the 23-year-old, and the transfer will cost £50m.
According to the Telegraph, Spurs have put that price on the England international and Mourinho wants the player signed before the start of the season in August. The United manager reportedly sees Dier as a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick.
Dier is a good player, he has established himself in Spurs’ first team and was one of the few players to impress for England at Euro 2016 last summer. But is he worth £50m? Even in the current transfer market, where it appears as though the minimum price for a Premier League player is £30m, is Dier really worth that much? Really, Jose? Really?
Almost definitely not. Dier wasn’t even Spurs’ first choice in midfield last season. Victor Wanyama took his place, and Dier was used predominately in central defence. Of the 48 club games he played last season, Dier played in central defence on 29 occasions. How does this make him a replacement for Carrick?
A replacement for Carrick, who has been one of United’s most important players over the past decade, could easily cost £50m in the current market. But have you ever watched Dier and saw him as the next Carrick?
Transfer fees stopped making sense when Andy Carroll cost Liverpool £35m in 2011, and Dier to United probably wouldn’t be as ridiculous as that. But £50m is an astonishing fee for a midfielder who is used predominately as a defender.
Imagine how much Lionel Messi would cost if Eric Dier is valued at £50m. Or even Christian Eriksen. Or Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele. Or Dele Alli. Or Harry Kane.
