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Bayern Munich 'trying to avoid triggering Eric Dier purchase clause' over three concerns
Eric Dier's future at Bayern Munich is in doubt just months after joining from Tottenham.
Bayern Munich are reportedly attempting to avoid triggering the purchase clause in Eric Dier’s contract, after the England defender failed to impress in Germany. He joined on loan from Tottenham in January but is out of contract at the end of the season and can earn a permanent deal in the Bundesliga if certain clauses are met.
Bayern would also owe Spurs a fee of £2.5million if such conditions are completed and he remains at the club, but with Thomas Tuchel to depart at the end of the season the recruitment department are re-evaluating their recent signings. That includes Dier, who has made five appearances since arriving.
German outlet Bild claim that some Bayern executives are unsure about keeping Dier beyond the current season, especially as they are unsure whether Tuchel’s successor will want the 30-year-old.
Dier's suitability for the long-term project, based on his age, is said to have been a factor in club chiefs doubting the loanee. His perceived lack of pace for a defender and match sharpness is also currently counting against him.
Dier said that his move to Bayern was a “dream come true” upon his unveiling last month, having been brought in to help with their defensive crisis and provide cover in both defence and midfield. However, he has not been tried further up the pitch and opinions from within the club are already starting to turn against him.
He has not lost a single game that he has featured in at Bayern, however, at a time when the Bundesliga champions have been in free-fall. Three consecutive defeats raised pressure on Tuchel, with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen already eight points clear at the top of the table.
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He could be handed a lifeline in Bayern’s next match against RB Leipzig on Saturday. Tuchel is wrestling with an injury crisis in defence, with Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano, Bouna Sarr, Sacha Boey, Noussair Mazraoui and Konrad Laimer all unlikely to be available.
Dier is being considered for a starting berth at right-back, with Joshua Kimmich and Raphael Guerrero both tempting Tuchel also. Kimmich and Guerrero would both be out of position, but impressing in a problem area for Bayern could convince the club to keep Dier beyond his loan.
As an England international he would likely have plenty of interest back in the Premier League, but a deal at Bayern would allow him to compete for Bundesliga and Champions League glory alongside Harry Kane.