Tottenham Hotspur are keen to agree a new contract with Eric Dier soon, having recently opened talks with the 29-year-old.
The Lowdown: Dier set to stay at Tottenham
It was recently reported that Dier is 'in line' for a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season. That may have came as a bit of a shock to some Tottenham fans, given the level of criticism that he has received during the campaign so far.
Journalist Ryan Taylor has claimed that the Englishman is 'nowhere near the required level' for Spurs, while journalist Kevin Palmer described him as 'not good enough' to play for a top-six club earlier this season.
The Latest: Deal done soon?
According to Football Insider, Tottenham are keen to quickly wrap up a two-year extension for the defender, with the player himself also eager to get the deal over the line.
It is also claimed that manager Antonio Conte is a 'huge' admirer of the 29-year-old's skillset and versatility, viewing him as one of the key players in Spurs' squad.
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The Verdict: Right call?
While the 49-cap England international has received his fair share of criticism this season, as outlined earlier, he has also put in some very solid performances, ranked by Sofascore as Spurs' fifth-best performing player in the Premier League, averaging a 7.03 match rating.
Furthermore, former Tottenham captain Ledley King has hailed the centre-back as a 'leader', which suggests that Dier is an important presence in the dressing room, even when he is going through a rough patch on the field.
Considering that Conte seemingly rates the 29-year-old very highly, it is good news that Dier is set to remain at the club, at least as a backup option. He has statistically been one of the club's better defenders so far this season, and he is also capable of slotting into defensive midfield when required.