Newcastle United keen on English Sporting star Eric Dier

According to reports, Newcastle United, 6/4 for a Premier League top 10 finish, are keen to lure Sporting Lisbon starlet Eric Dier to St James’ Park, after the England Under-21 defender recently rebuffed a contract extension offered by the Portuguese giants.

Following former Chelsea left back Ashley Cole’s transfer switch to Serie A side Roma, and stints in Turkey and Thailand for Anton Ferdinand, the subject of English footballers plying their trade abroad has become a hot topic.

Ex-Crystal Palace and Spurs prodigy John Bostock is also flying the flag for home-grown talent on the continent, hoping to revive his career at Royal Antwerp in Belgium. Scottish youngster Ryan Gauld is another talent who hopes to benefit from a stint in warmer climes, having signed for Sporting for a rumoured fee of £3m.

Highly-rated, cultured centre half Dier, who can also operate as a right back and holding midfielder, is one Englishman abroad who has been a success story, and could be about to return to his home nation as an exciting prospect.

As Roy Hodgson and the Three Lions lick their wounds following yet more World Cup disappointment, big changes could be afoot. With senior squad places potentially up for grabs, the timing could not be better for Dier’s homecoming.

A possible move to Newcastle would not be the first time the versatile defender has experienced Premier League facilities, with Dier enjoying a short loan stay at Everton in 2011. Despite not making a first-team appearance for the Toffees, the Portuguese-trained youngster linked-up with their youth team, and was touted as a top talent.

After joining Sporting Lisbon’s academy aged 10, Dier rose through the ranks to make his debut in 2012, and has enjoyed 30 appearances for the Iberian outfit in two seasons.

The Cheltenham-born star would have been eligible to represent Portugal at international level, but instead opted to wait for a call-up from the country of his birth. Dier’s patience eventually paid off as England Under-20 boss Peter Taylor named him in the 2013 youth World Cup squad. He debuted at Under-21 level against Scotland in the same year.