Ex Tottenham manager ‘plots’ January move for defender in Serie A reunion

Former Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly planning a January move for a defender who he used to manage as the footballer approaches the final year of their contract in North London.

Spurs have kicked off the season in fine form under new boss Ange Postecoglou and they have recorded four wins and two draws from their opening six league games.

In this time, Postecoglou’s men have recorded two clean sheets and scored an impressive 15 goals. The club has introduced a number of new additions to the defence including summer signing Micky van de Ven, who has formed a solid partnership with Christian Romero. While Ashley Phillips was signed by Blackburn as one for the future.

Such activity has forced stalwart Eric Dier down the pecking order and the 49-time England international is yet to play a single minute of football this season.

Dier has been a near ever-present in the Tottenham setup under various managers, including Mourinho, since his arrival in 2014, but he is currently in the final year of his contract with the club and his future remains uncertain as he eyes first team minutes ahead of the European Championships in 2024.

Mourinho has enjoyed a successful two year stint in charge of AS Roma so far and he guided them to a Europa Conference League title in his first year - ending a 15-year wait for silverware.

He also steered Roma to the Europa League final the following season, before suffering a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss to Sevilla.

The Portuguese boss is hoping to propel the club to further success in his third year in charge, but his team has struggled defensively - keeping just one clean sheet from six matches as they sit 14th in the Serie A table.

Mourinho is hoping to strengthen his defensive options in January and he is believed to be an admirer of Dier, according to reports from Calciomercato.

Dier played in 28 Premier League games in Mourinho’s last season in England and he was rarely dropped when matchfit. The defender also offers a wide level of versatility which makes him able to play at right back and defensive midfield. Such attributes could be key to Roma’s chances of success in the second half of the season as they once again juggle the demands of European and domestic football.