Ange Postecoglou knows ‘absolutely zero’ about Eric Dier’s reported links to Bayern Munich and hit out at a reporter for asking if his injury was linked.
talkSPORT understands the German giants have reached a verbal agreement with the defender over a potential January move.
Dier is out of contract at Spurs in June and can therefore negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs ahead of the summer.
Postecoglou has named him just once in his starting XI across all competitions this season, with the defender low in the pecking order.
Speculation over his future has therefore arisen, but the links with Bayern appear to be news to the Spurs manager.
Following their 1-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup, Postecoglou claimed Dier wasn’t involved after picking up an injury earlier in the week.
He was then questioned if he knew about the potential deal with Bayern, but he simply responded in an interview with ITV: “Absolutely zero.
“Eric didn’t train yesterday, he was injured so he’s not selected, so that’s it.”
A reporter in the post-match press conference then asked if Dier’s absence was anything to do with the links to Bayern.
Postecoglou hit back: “Separate issue mate but don’t question my integrity. When I say he’s injured, he’s injured. He didn’t train yesterday. Ask him, but he was injured. Got nothing to do with anything else.”
The reporter tried to ask again but Postecoglou insisted: “I’ve got no idea. When you ask me whether he’s injured, he’s injured, like I didn’t make that up.
“If he wasn’t injured, I’d say to you he wasn’t selected, it’s easy for me to say. He’s injured and in terms of anything else that’s happening, not on my radar and not that I’ve heard of. If there is something I’m sure we’ll hear of it.”
Dier, who first signed for Spurs in 2014, is happy to let his contract run down in north London and leave for free in the summer.
The 29-year-old has made 365 appearances across all competitions for the club during his near ten-year stint, scoring 13 goals, but will reunite with Harry Kane should he move to Bayern.
Just four of those matches have come this season though, with their FA Cup clash against Burnley the latest game he has missed.
Spurs sneaked past the Clarets and into the fourth round of the competition thanks to a stunning goal from Pedro Porro.
It was far from their best performance but it makes up for their early exit from the Carabao Cup at the beginning of the season.
Spurs have now won five of their last six matches in all competitions, with Postecoglou’s side also sitting fifth in the Premier League.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
