Eric Dier to Tottenham? Spurs closing in on £4m deal for Sporting Lisbon's English-born centre-back

The 20-year-old was born in Cheltenham but came through the ranks at Sporting

Eric Dier in action for the England Under-21s earlier this year (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham Hotspur are on the brink of securing the £4m transfer of Sporting Lisbon's English-born centre-back Eric Dier.

The 20-year-old defender, who was born in Cheltenham, has played for England Under-21s and came up through the Sporting academy after moving to Portugal as a 10-year-old.

Dier made 15 appearances in all competitions for Sporting last season, and had also interested Newcastle United and West Ham.

The defender had a brief loan spell at Everton in 2011 as a youth player.

He is the grandson of Ted Croker (former Secretary of the Football Association and President of Cheltenham Town) and great nephew of Peter Croker who both played professionally for Charlton Athletic.

New manager Maurico Pochettino is also interested in raiding his former club Southampton for Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez.

Dier is set to become Spurs' third signing of the summer, after the club completed deals for the Swansea pair Michel Vorm and Ben Davies.