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Tottenham’s Eric Dier Being Scouted by Bayern Munich

By Alexander Balano

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur evades Julian Weigl of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Europa League round of 16, second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at White Hart Lane on March 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 17: Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur evades Julian Weigl of Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Europa League round of 16, second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at White Hart Lane on March 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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Eric Dier signed a contract extension with Tottenham back in September but with Bayern Munich keeping tabs on the 22-year-old, it’s only a matter of time before other clubs join in too.

It’s not that often where Tottenham players are being scouted by some of Europe’s elite clubs, but after a very good season for club and country, Eric Dier is being shortlisted by Bayern Munich and soon-to-be manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

While Dier has transitioned to a defensive midfield role since pre-season, after playing mostly in Tottenham’s back line during his first year with the north London club, it’s mostly been his defensive awareness that has been eye-catching to many who have seen the 22-year-old in action.

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The England international can seamlessly drop deeper into central defense when Tottenham’s full-backs (Danny Rose, Ben Davies, Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier) are on the attack to give Spurs three defenders at the back line.

When Tottenham aren’t pushing higher up the pitch, with Eric Dier playing alongside Mousa Dembélé, this essentially leaves Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen free to roam around at the top just behind Harry Kane.

With Dier on the pitch, and starting in 31 of 32 league matches for Tottenham this season, his ability to shield the back four behind him, but also quickly drop deeper to help his fellow central defenders out in a pinch has been essential in Spurs’ improbable run to try and win a Premier League title.

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 26: Eric Dier (C) of England celebrates scoring his team's third goal with his team mates Dele Alli (L) and Harry Kane (R) during the International Friendly match between Germany and England at Olympiastadion on March 26, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
BERLIN, GERMANY – MARCH 26: Eric Dier (C) of England celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with his team mates Dele Alli (L) and Harry Kane (R) during the International Friendly match between Germany and England at Olympiastadion on March 26, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

For Bayern Munich, the reason why Eric Dier is being eyed at the moment is due to the fact that Xabi Alonso’s contract is set to expire at the end of this season.

So theoretically, a player swap in Bayern’s eyes is to replace Alonso with Dier.

And with Tottenham playing against Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 during the Europa League, a 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane — not to mention Dier’s game against Germany in a 3-2 international friendly win — has caught the eyes of the Bavarian giants according to the London Evening Standard.

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Generally speaking, having clubs being interested in your players, especially ones who are flush with cash, is a huge compliment. But for Tottenham, it’s perhaps a bother after doing their best since Mauricio Pochettino arrived to remove the stigma of being a selling club.

Then again, as mentioned above, Eric Dier recently signed a contract extension back in September and more than likely he has no desire whatsoever to seek a change of scenery and trade England for Germany.

What Mauricio Pochettino has built up in almost two full seasons since joining Tottenham after a one-year stint with Southampton, is a testament to the Argentine manager’s tactics and philosophy to give young players a chance to show what they can do. So long as they deserve it, while also changing the club’s culture which has reaped so many benefits for team and for the fans.

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For now, this transfer rumor will be put on the back burner until the end of the season, but even if Bayern Munich increase their desire to try and sign the 22-year-old, there’s no reason to sell the England international after what Eric Dier has meant for Tottenham this year.

It’s not a silly rumor by any means seeing as how at the age of 22, Dier is already one of the better defensive midfielders in the Premier League and realistically, one of Roy Hodgson’s better players at the defensive midfield position to either start or just come on as a substitute for the England national team.

Once the summer transfer window opens and eventually closes, Eric Dier will still remain with Tottenham and will continue to help push Spurs to greater heights and challenge for some potential silverware.