Tottenham Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Mateo Kovacic and Eric Dier

Rob Blanchette @@_Rob_BFeatured ColumnistJuly 9, 2017

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic (R) vies with Sporting Gijon's Croatian forward Duje Cop during the Spanish league football match Real Sporting de Gijon vs Real Madrid CF at El Molinon stadium in Gijon on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL RIOPA (Photo credit should read MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/Getty Images)

MIGUEL RIOPA/Getty Images

Real Madrid are ready to sell Mateo Kovacic, with Tottenham Hotspur a potential destination, according to reports.

Tom Collomosse and Tom Doyle of the London Evening Standard reported Los Blancos are shopping the player to a number of teams because he has failed to hold down a starting place in the Spanish capital. Spurs are said to be interested in the 23-year-old, but his wages could put off the north London club.

Kovacic joined the UEFA Champions League holders in August 2015 after impressing for Inter Milan in Serie A. The Croatia international was viewed as a major star of the future, but he has failed to convince manager Zinedine Zidane he is anything more than a squad player.

Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (R) and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic pose with the trophy after Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League final football match between Juventus and Real Madrid at The Principality Stadium in

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Spanish outlet Diario Madridista (h/t Liam Spence of the Daily Express) recently reported Manchester United also wanted the talent. United would have no such issue with his wages because of their robust financial situation.

Kovacic started 19 games in La Liga last season, scoring one goal and providing three assists, per WhoScored.com.

Andrew Gaffney of Yahoo Sport UK previously highlighted the burgeoning player:

Andrew Gaffney @GaffneyVLC
While Real Madrid's squad has received an endless amount of praise I still feel Kovacic's role in the season is often under-appreciated.

In other Spurs news, manager Mauricio Pochettino will not sell Eric Dier for any fee because he wishes to retain his services.

Simon Jones of MailOnline reported Spurs will not do business with any interested sides, with Manchester United said to be reviewing the player's situation. United are reported to have inquired about the 23-year-old at the end of last season but their advances were dismissed out of hand.

England's midfielder Eric Dier (R) and England's midfielder Raheem Sterling (L) fight for the ball with France's defender N'golo Kante (C) during the international friendly football match between France and England at The Stade de France Stadium in Saint-

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Dier is developing into a key player for England, and at 23, his best is yet to come in the shirt of the Lilywhites.

Tottenham have aspirations to win the Premier League title, and selling Dier would send out the opposite message.

Formerly a defender, Dier has become a midfield enforcer in recent times, and he looks set to continue to protect Pochettino's back line against the most physical teams in England for some time.