Manchester United prepared to test Tottenham resolve for £40m defender

Manchester United are preparing a bold big money move for Tottenham defender Eric Dier, The Mirror reports.

The England international only extended his Spurs contract earlier in the season but owner Daniel Levy has made it clear that the club won’t simply offer pay rises to players that are of interest to their rivals.

Dier is believed to be on £50,000 a week and could expect to receive considerably more elsewhere, with United having handed out far more lucrative deals to squad players this season.

The Red Devils are now prepared to test Tottenham’s resolve with a massive £40m bid for the 23-year old.

Dier perhaps hasn’t reached the same standards as the season previous, with his WhoScored.com rating dropping from 7.06 to 6.91, but his versatility has been a massive asset to Pochettino.

The England man played the vast majority of last season in midfield but has dropped into a defensive role more often this season to allow the manager to alter his tactics accordingly to a back four or three, both in preparation for and during matches.