THOMAS TUCHEL gave a blunt response when asked about a potential Bayern Munich swoop for Eric Dier.
The Bundesliga champions have been strongly linked with a move for the out of favour Tottenham defender.
Dier, 29, has agreed personal terms with Bayern over a January switch.
Asked about the England international, former Chelsea boss Tuchel gave nothing away.
Quizzed how Dier sounds, Tuchel joked: “English!”
He then kept his cards close to his chest, adding: “Have you already asked the sporting director? There will be no comment from me.”
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Fans online, rightly or wrongly, claimed that Tuchel’s comments suggested that he wasn’t that keen on signing Dier.
One wrote: “So Bayern Munich signed Dier without the manager’s consent.”
While a second commented: “Clearly not his signing.”
Another added: “In other words, Eric Dier is the idea of the sporting director not Tuchel’s.”
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Dier has been out of favour at Tottenham this season.
He did not play a single minute under Ange Postecoglou’s until the 4-1 defeat to Chelsea on November 6.
The experienced defender has made four appearances in total this term, with his contract set to expire in June.
Spurs have had to do without Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero for long stretches this season.
While Ben Davies pulled up with an apparent hamstring issue during Spurs’ 1-0 FA Cup win over Burnley on Friday night.
After the match, Postecoglou was asked if his side can afford to lose Dier given Davies’ knock.
The Aussie gave a considered pause before answering: “Yes.”
Dier has played 364 times for Spurs since signing from Sporting Lisbon for £4million in 2014.
He played regularly as the North Londoners contended for the Premier League title under Mauricio Pochettino, and featured in the 2019 Champions League final.
The 49-cap star earned his place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad for Qatar, but has struggled for form since.
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Tottenham are trying to sign Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin, while Van de Ven has finally returned to fitness.
Spurs have also bolstered their front line by agreeing a shock loan deal with RB Leipzig for former Chelsea forward Timo Werner.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
