ERIC DIER is Jose Mourinho’s top midfield target this summer, according to European football expert Gabriele Marcotti.
The Manchester United boss wants to splash the cash this summer with Champions League football returning to Old Trafford next season.
Mourinho is also under pressure to mount a title charge next campaign after finishing outside the top four this year.
And Marcotti says United want Tottenham ace Dier, with Monaco midfield maestro Fabinho a back-up option for the Red Devils.
“This is a bit of a funny one because certainly the information coming from Monaco was that they would let Bernardo Silva go, they’ll probably let Mendy go and obviously Bakayoko,” Marcotti said on ESPN FC.
“Fabinho is a guy that they as a club wanted to hang on to. Equally Fabinho’s people who have close ties to the Manchester United manager of course, they view things a little differently.
“They’ve been pushing quite aggressively last summer, in the January transfer window.
“I’ve been led to believe that United had other priorities, other top targets in that defensive midfield position, among them of course Eric Dier.
“But Fabinho they view as an alternative. If they can’t get Dier, they’re not going to be held to ransom by Dier or anybody else, then Fabinho is somebody that they rate.
“They like his versatility, he can also play at full-back of course.
“They like his tactical intelligence and think they can get him at a reasonable price.”
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