Transfer rumor roundup: United still want Dier, Spurs mulling Mawson

Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer dealings have gone a little quiet lately. The Kyle Walker to Manchester City situation is pretty much the same as it was two weeks ago, and while potential Spurs transfer targets are falling by the wayside there doesn’t seem to be a whole love of movement in actually bringing in players this summer.

But Matt Law has some interesting tidbits in an article in the Telegraph today, and he starts by claiming that despite making a shock record bid for Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United are still interested in signing Eric Dier.

United have already seen one bid for Dier rejected this summer, but talks have continued in the background between executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

Levy has refused to put a price on Dier’s head, but it is believed Spurs would listen to an offer in the region of £50million for their England international.

– Matt Law, Telegraph

The cynic will say that Jose Mourinho’s interest in Dier has as much to do with United to keep their heads above water with regards to homegrown players as it does improving their central midfield options, even though Dier is probably good enough to start for United next season. Even so, Spurs are probably going to want at least £50m for Dier, and probably don’t want to sell him at all. Paying out the nose is probably the only realistic way that we would see Dier exiting the club, and doing so would mean Spurs might need both a new central defender and a midfielder this summer to replace him. I doubt this rumor has legs.

But speaking of central defenders, Law also goes on to drop a few more interesting rumors in this article, specifically stating that Tottenham are serious about a bid for Swansea CB Alfie Mawson.

Having missed out on Michael Keane, who joined Everton, Tottenham have seen one bid turned down for Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson and are now considering another offer.

Swansea want £30m for England Under-21 international Mawson, but Spurs could try to offer Josh Onomah on loan to the Welsh club as part of a lower bid.

£30m seems like a lot of money for Mawson, but he had a good season for Swansea last year and was a rock in the center of their defense, scoring four goals in the process. He’s young (23), Premier League ready, and English, all of which adds to his value. Michael Caley also pointed out in our writer’s room that Michael Keane cost £25m plus incentives when he moved from Burnley to Everton this summer. Also, what is even money right now?

Mauricio Pochettino obviously doesn’t trust Kevin Wimmer, and signing a good reserve center back that has room to improve could also push Eric Dier back into central midfield where he (arguably) belongs. It’s not ridiculous to think that Mawson could be a good addition to this Spurs side.

Josh Onomah heading the other way on loan might not be a bad thing either. While we all want to see what he can do in central midfield after his performances there in the U20 World Cup, he will start the season well back on the depth chart. He needs games, and a loan to Swansea could mean he starts in the Swans midfield — alongside Jack Cork and Tom Carroll! Now wouldn’t THAT be a fun midfield to watch?

Matt Law’s record on Spurs transfers has been a bit spotty lately, but he unquestionably has sources close to the club. None of these rumors seem unreasonable, with the possible exception of United making a big move on Eric Dier. If nothing else, it gives me a little more hope that we might get some transfer activity sooner rather than later.