Tottenham Hotspur wants to keep its England international midfielder Eric Dier and will resist Manchester United’s attempts to buy the player.
That is according to a report in the Daily Telegraph which says the north London club is determined “not to be bullied” over the future of Dier, 23, amid growing speculation that United manager Jose Mourinho will make a move for the player who took an unusual route to the top of English football via Sporting Lisbon’s academy.
Tottenham finished runner-up to Chelsea in the Premier League in 2016-17 but has watched so far this summer as its rivals, including United, have strengthened their squads. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has yet to sign a single player this transfer window and also faces a battle to hold onto right back Kyle Walker, who is desired by Manchester City.
Chelsea, too, has been torpid so far this summer but Antonio Conte could soon land one of his main targets. RMC Sport, the French radio station, reports that A.S. Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is set for a medical in west London, bringing to an end a saga that briefly threatened to go the way of the Romelu Lukaku deal with United sneaking in to scupper Chelsea’s plans.
Arsenal will go back in for a third time for Thomas Lemar, Bakayoko’s Monaco teammate, according to the Daily Mail. Arsene Wenger has seen bids of £35 million and £40 million turned down but a fee closer to £50 million has Arsenal feeling “confident” it can land the France international winger.
There are strange rumblings at deposed Premier League champion Leicester City. Despite reaching the Champions League quarterfinals, Leicester endured an unhappy season in 2016-17, a year that included the departure of manager Claudio Ranieri. The Daily Telegraph claims Leicester will react to the disappointing defense of its title by selling all six of the players it bought last summer, including record signing Islam Slimani. Leicester’s recruitment this summer, including the purchase of Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City, looks much more impressive.
Source:newsweek.com