Transfer tussle: Manchester United and Chelsea to go head-to-head for Radja Nainggolan – reports

Manchester United are ready to go head-to-head with Chelsea for another top transfer target as they look beyond Eric Dier for midfield reinforcements.

Tottenham’s England midfielder is the man Jose Mourinho really wants to provide a defensive shield in front of his back four, but Spurs are insistent they won’t sell.

And, according to a report in the Daily Mail, that has seen the Old Trafford giants switch their attention to Roma’s Radja Nainggolan, another player on Antonio Conte’s wanted list.

The Blues tried to sign the Belgian international last summer and, despite reportedly agreeing a fee with Monaco for Tiemoue Bakayoko, they remain keen on the 29-year-old.

But United, who have been tracking Nainggolan for six months, could now be set to make their move, having earlier this week pipped the Stamford Bridge club to the signature of Romelu Lukaku.

Mourinho is also keen to be re-united with Nemanja Matic, but the bitterness over the Lukaku situation now makes that deal more difficult to get over the line.