Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has taken aim at a journalist for questioning his integrity amid growing uncertainty surrounding the injured Eric Dier’s future with the team.
Dier, who has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, was omitted from Tottenham’s matchday squad ahead of Spurs’ tight 1-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup.
Postecoglou told ITV Sport after the game that Dier “got injured in training”. But when one reporter suggested Dier’s absence may be connected to Bayern’s interest in him, the Australian manager was less than impressed.
“Separate issue mate, but don’t question my integrity,” Postecoglou fired back in his post-game press conference.
“When I say he’s injured, he’s injured. He didn’t train yesterday. I can get vision in for you, you can ask him. It’s got nothing to do with anything else.”
Postecoglou was again pressed on the Bayern links but reiterated he had not heard anything about the potential move.
“I’ve got no idea,” Postecoglou said.
“When you ask me whether he’s injured, he’s injured. I didn’t make that up. If he wasn’t injured I’d say he wasn’t selected. It’s easy for me to say.
“He’s injured and in terms of anything else that’s happening, not on my radar. Not that I’ve heard of. If there is something I’m sure I’ll hear of it, but fair to say in the last 24 hours we’ve been focusing on the game and the guys that are available.”
Sky Sports Germany have reported Dier and Bayen have a total verbal agreement, with the defender said to have been offered a one-and-a-half-year deal.
Dier’s contract with Spurs expires this summer.
Porro’s pure hit sees Spurs through | 00:32
Elsewhere, in other Tottenham transfer news, Sky Sports Germany is reporting that Spurs are closing in on signing RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner on loan until the end of the season.
It was previously reported that Werner had been offered to Manchester United in the January transfer window but instead he looks set to bolster Postecoglou’s stocks up front.
Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano reported Werner is “very keen” on working with Postecoglou and that the Australian “approved the deal”.
“Negotiations ongoing today between Leipzig and Tottenham on loan plus potential option to buy clause,” Romano added.