West Ham United transfer update: Eric Dier available for free from Tottenham in January – David Ornstein
The door appears to be open for West Ham to secure a bargain move for Tottenham’s Eric Dier during the January transfer window.
The 49-cap England international has emerged as a target for David Moyes as the Scot looks to reinforce his backline, with Thilo Kehrer on his way to Monaco and Nayef Aguerd subject of renewed transfer interest.
Having failed to secure a £30million move for Manchester United’s Harry Maguire in the summer his international colleague Dier, 29, could be a far more affordable option, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein reporting that Spurs would be “very glad” to let him leave for free this month.
Ornstein told Rio Ferdinand on is FIVE Insider show on 2 January (44m 55s): “Hugo Lloris has already gone to LAFC. That doesn’t bring in a transfer fee but it moves his salary off the wage bill which is crucial in this financial fair play era.
“They would very gladly do the same with Eric Dier who is out of contract next summer and is not part of the plans.”
Dier has only made four Premier League appearances under Ange Postecoglou after the arrival of Micky van de Ven in the summer and is expected to leave at the end of the season either way, but if West Ham can convince him of a switch to the London Stadium he would be an inviting option with no fee required.
Since Aguerd is due to be away with Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations whether an exit is a genuine threat or not, and with Kurt Zouma having missed games, Moyes could do with back up immediately.
Dier may not be the dynamic star that some fans may crave, but he is still young enough to be a solid performer in a Moyes team for some seasons to come.
If the manager was ready to spend big money on landing Maguire just a few months ago then clearly a lack of speed is not a concern to him, and whether it was a quick pick-up for the rest of the season or a longer-term signing it is sure to be attractive, given he has always been keen on value for money.
Whether Tim Steidten feels the same might be the key question, but for a player who is available now and on a free transfer, with extensive Premier League experience (274 appearances), it would make a lot of sense if Tottenham are willing to play ball.
In other West Ham news, the Irons could also be set to go head to head with Spurs for an in-form top flight attacker.