Ange Postecoglou tells reporter 'Don't doubt my integrity' as he says Eric Dier missed Tottenham's FA Cup win over Burnley due to injury, insists Bayern Munich ties 'are not on my radar'
- Postecoglou had a brief conversation with a reporter when he was asked about Eric Dier
- He insisted he knew nothing about the Bayern ties and insisted he was injured
- IAN LADYMAN: Premier League clubs are so wrapped up in their own self-interest. They want what suits them and that isn't FA Cup replays. It all starts
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Ange Postecoglou insisted he knew nothing of Eric Dier's ties to Bayern Munich and told a reporter not to question his integrity when he insisted the defender was injured.
Dier was not part of Tottenham's squad for the FA Cup third round tie against Burnley at home, which they won 1–0 thanks to Pedro Porro's stunning goal.
That raised suspicion after reports that Bayern Munich had reached a verbal agreement with the 29-year-old to bring him to Germany.
Asked about Dier, Postecoglou said: 'Yes, he is injured. He just pulled up painfully and didn't train yesterday.'
Pressed on Dier's ties with Bayern Munich, he said: 'A separate issue, mate, but don't doubt my integrity when I say he's injured. He is injured and did not train yesterday.
Ange Postecoglou told a reporter not to question his integrity when he insisted Eric Dier was injured and that he knew nothing about the links with Bayern Munich
Dier was left out of the squad for Burnley and is reported to have a verbal agreement with Bayern Munich
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“Ask him, but he was hurt and has nothing else to do.
'I have no idea (about Bayern). It's not interesting. If you ask me if he's hurt, he's hurt. Like I didn't make that up.
'If he wasn't injured I would tell you he wasn't selected. It's easier for me to say. He's hurt and in terms of everything else that's going on, it's not on my radar, not that I've heard of.
“And if there is something, I'm sure we'll hear about it, but honestly the last 24 hours we've been focused on the game and the guys that are available.”
Bayern have looked to other targets for defensive reinforcement.
Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah is also on Bayern's list, as Mail Sport has reported, but match fitness favors Dier.
Chalobah is expected to be fully fit by the end of this month. He is 24 years younger and has worked with Tuchel before, but would ultimately cost more.
Bayern would prefer an initial loan deal, while Chelsea, like Borussia Dortmund target Ian Maatsen, are looking to sell to raise money for a striker and left-back.
Dier has had interest from clubs in both France and England, but some are hoping he can be signed on a free transfer this season.
He is free to talk to foreign clubs this month as his contract expires at the end of 2023/2024.
Tottenham are willing to let him go as they hope to sign Radu Dragusin from Genoa.