Transfer market
Dier in Munich: Bayern finalize their first winter transfer
Tottenham’s Eric Dier is about to move to FC Bayern and is already in Munich for a medical check. photo
© Luca Bruno/AP/dpa
Thomas Tuchel gets the first winter signing he wants. Harry Kane’s long-time Tottenham colleague Eric Dier is supposed to ease the defensive bottleneck.
FC Bayern Munich is about to sign the English professional footballer Eric Dier from Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
As the first winter signing, the 29-year-old should help reduce the personnel shortage in the defense of the German champions. “He’s in town. We’re trying to finalize the deal and get another alternative as a central defender,” said coach Thomas Tuchel on Thursday in the press conference for Bayern’s Bundesliga home game against TSG Hoffenheim this Friday (8.30 p.m./ Sat.1 and DAZN).
Dier has been playing for Tottenham since 2014 and was a teammate of Bayern striker Harry Kane there and in the English national team. He still has to complete the medical check in Munich. The transfer fee for the defender, who could also be used in defensive midfield, was under five million euros. The contract term was considered to be a period until at least 2025.
“Get Goretzka free for midfield”
Before the transfer was completed, Tuchel did not want to comment more specifically on Dier’s sporting qualities and the plans with the veteran. “We only start planning once the player has signed,” said the 50-year-old coach. However, Dier can occupy both central defender positions in defense and also act in a three-man chain.
“We’ll definitely get Leon Goretzka free for midfield,” said Tuchel, referring to the national player who recently had to help out at the back. Bayern will be missing central defender Minjae Kim (Asian Cup) and Noussair Mazraoui (Africa Cup) in the first few weeks of the year due to appearances for their national teams.
How valuable Dier can be remains to be seen. Because at Tottenham he was recently only second choice and has only made four appearances in the Premier League this season.