Manchester United have reportedly given up on signing Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic and will push ahead with their attempt to lure Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur.
Strengthening in central midfield is now a priority for Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho, who is expected to wrap up a deal for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku in the next 48 hours.
Dier was first linked with United back in March but United have since cooled their interest and instead looked elsewhere, with Matic and Tiemoue Bakayoko topping their summer transfer wishlist.
AS Monaco ace Bakayoko is widely expected to link up with Antonio Conte at Chelsea, but a delay in completing a transfer has left Matic in limbo, while the Blues may also be reluctant to sell to United after missing out on Lukaku to their title rivals.
Mourinho is now ready to return for Dier and test Tottenham's resolve, according to The Guardian, with a bid of £50m to be tabled in the coming days.
England international Dier featured 36 times in the Premier League last season as Tottenham finished runners-up to Chelsea.
Daniel Lewis
