Tottenham Hotspur open talks with Eric Dier over new contract?

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly entered discussions with centre-back Eric Dier over a new contract.

The midfielder-turned-defender has been a mainstay of Antonio Conte's backline since the Italian took charge in North London, despite coming under criticism for perceived shortcomings.

Dier has two goals to boast from 30 matches in all competitions during the 2022-23 season, starting 22 Premier League games and netting against Southampton and Leicester City.

The 29-year-old has also started all seven of Spurs' games in the Champions League so far, and his regular game time for Tottenham earned him a spot in England's World Cup 2022 squad.

Dier was only on the periphery of Gareth Southgate's team - making two appearances off the bench against Iran and Senegal - but the centre-back is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Conte.

© Reuters

Dier is only under contract at Tottenham until the end of next season, potentially placing Spurs in a tricky situation this summer if the two parties cannot come to an agreement on fresh terms.

However, Football Insider claims that the England international is now in talks with Tottenham over an extension, which would see him commit his future to the club until 2026.

The report states that Dier feels "very happy" at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and all parties are confident of reaching an agreement following positive early discussions.

The defender came through the youth academy at Sporting Lisbon before making the move to Tottenham for just £4.4m in 2014, having spent a year on loan at Everton between 2011 and 2012.

Dier has since come up with 13 goals and 11 assists in 349 matches for Tottenham across all competitions, and he could make his 350th appearance in Sunday's London derby with Chelsea.

© Reuters

Despite their intentions to tie Dier down to a new deal, Tottenham could still be in the market for a new centre-back in the summer, when Clement Lenglet's loan deal from Barcelona will come to an end.

The futures of Japhet Tanganga and Joe Rodon are both up in the air, although Conte still has Cristian Romero, Ben Davies and Davinson Sanchez competing for minutes at the back.

Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie is understood to be on the radar of Tottenham scouts, although the Ecuador international recently signed a new long-term deal with the Bundesliga club until 2027.

Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger and Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni have also been linked with moves to Tottenham, who can go four points clear of fifth-placed Newcastle United in the Premier League table with victory over Chelsea.