Eric Dier: Bayern make contact with Tottenham defender over January move

Bayern Munich have enquired Tottenham defender Eric Dier as the Bundesliga champions explore options to strengthen their defence in January.

Dier is out of contract at Spurs in the summer and free to talk with overseas clubs this month about an end-of-season free transfer.

Spurs would also be open to allowing the 29-year-old to leave immediately, with the defender not part of head coach Ange Postecoglou's plans.

Bayern, who signed Harry Kane from Spurs in a deal worth £86million up front in the summer, have opened talks with Dier but are also exploring other options in his position.

Bayern are attracted by Dier's versatility, with the England international able to play at centre-half, right-back and holding midfield, although primarily view him as a central defender.

Postecoglou has preferred full-backs Emerson Royal and Ben Davies over Dier while first-choice centre-half pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been injured, while Spurs are in talks with Genoa about signing 21-year-old Radu Dragusin this month.

Asked about Dier on Thursday, amid reported interest from West Ham, Postecoglou said: “No idea. Not on my radar.”

The Australian added: “I think Eric [Dier] is contracted to this football club, and he’s as much in control of his destiny as anyone else.”

Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel currently has Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Matthijs and De Ligt as centre-back options, though Kim will be away for a number of weeks for Asian Cup duties with South Korea.

Dier has started one game under Postecoglou, the 2-1 defeat to Wolves in November, and made a further three appearances from the bench.