Danny Murphy believes Eric Dier could leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer

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Dier has been used predominantly at centre-back by Tottenham Hotspur this season.

Danny Murphy in action for Fulham

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Danny Murphy believes Eric Dier could leave the club this summer.

Dier has excelled since his £4 million transfer from Sporting Clube de Portugal in 2014, becoming a regular for both Spurs and England.

Having said that, the 23-year-old has been used predominantly at centre-back this season, despite making central midfield his home last season.

And Murphy fears Dier’s desire to move further up the pitch could lead to his exit from Tottenham, with Manchester United one of the clubs previously linked.

“He’s not a great centre-half for me, he’s a good midfielder,” Murphy told Talksport on Thursday. “If I get my instincts right I think he could be off. I think he wants to play in midfield and I don’t blame him because it’s his best position.”

He added: “I suppose it depends on what Tottenham are thinking in the summer. As in, do they bring another defender in? Is Dier going to be first choice as part of that back three? Are they going to go back to a four? I’m not sure.

“What you can say, and what Tottenham fans who’ve seen more of the games have been saying, is Wanyama’s been great; not one of them would leave Dembele out and Dele Alli’s got to play in that central area. You don’t want to stick him wide and waste his talents there. So can Dier fit back into that midfield?”

Tottenham’s Eric Dier during training

Dier signed a new five-year deal at Spurs as recently as eight months ago, and it would likely require a sizeable fee to prise him away from North London.

United are said to be readying a £40 million move for the Portugal-raised star this summer (Daily Mail), and a move to Old Trafford could appeal based on comments made by the player last month.

Speaking to the Players’ Tribune, Dier named a trio of former Red Devils stars as his childhood heroes, and claimed his decision to choose the number 15 shirt at Tottenham was inspired by Nemanja Vidic.