United Defender Close to Spurs Switch - Report

A report on Goal.com states that Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a deal to sign Manchester United defender Ezekiel Fryers, via a settlement at a transfer tribunal. The 19 year old has accepted, in principle, a deal to sign for Spurs after his Old Trafford contract expired at the end of this season. He refused a new offer after difficulties over wage demands.

The Red Devils are due compensation for Fryers as he was brought through their academy and insist on a £4mn fee but Spurs are unwilling to pay more than £2mn for the player, who can play at both centre back and left back, The Sun reports.

Should a settlement be reached, Fryers will be the third youngster to leave Manchester United, after Paul Pogba and Ravel Morrison left to join Juventus and West Ham, respectively. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson recently revealed he had heard nothing from Fryers or his agent but expected the player to report for pre-season training at Carrington.

"We haven't heard anything from Zeki Fryers. I don't know what's happening there but he's not been in touch with the club. His agent hasn't been in touch with the club and I can only assume he'll be back for training today," BBC quoted Ferguson as saying.

Caulker Feels Ready for First Team

Meanwhile, Fryer's former England U19 team mate and potential club mate, Steven Caulker, has stated he feels ready to battle for a place in the club's first team. The centre-back, who spent last season on loan at Swansea City, has signed a new contract with Spurs, which will see him remain at White Hart Lane till 2016.

"I have been here since I was 15. I worked my way through and hopefully this is the year I get my opportunity and it's up to me to take it. I have just had a chat with the manager. It's nice to see that I am in his plans. It's nice to hear I have his confidence and his backing so I am looking forward to next season," ESPN quoted Caulker as saying

"I will have to work hard this year. There are some fantastic centre halves so it's not going to be an easy ride but I have confidence and hopefully with a bit of hard work it will pay off. The club have supported me in the last four or five years so now it's down to me pay them back. Last year Tottenham were the most exciting team to watch so to be part of that this year, especially under a new manager, is something I relish," the 20 year old added.

Caulker is a part of Stuart Pearce's Team GB squad for this summer's Olympics.