Ange Postecoglou has fired back at a reporter following Tottenham’s 1-0 FA Cup victory over Burnley, with the future of Eric Dier at the English club remaining in doubt.
The 29-year-old has been linked with a move to German powerhouse Bayern Munich in recent weeks, with his omission from the squad to face Burnley on Sunday morning (AEDT) leading to more speculation.
Postecoglou ensured in a post-match interview with ITV Sport that the defender had succumbed to an injury in training during the week, forcing him to miss the third-round Cup clash.
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But in his press conference, Postecoglou was quizzed further on the status of Dier and whether there was a correlation between his absence and his potential transfer in the January window.
“Separate issue mate, but don’t question my integrity,” he said.
“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.
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“It’s got nothing to do with anything else.”
The journalist didn’t stop there however, pushing the Australian boss on Dier’s future with the franchise for a second time.
“I’ve got no idea,” Postecoglou said.
“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.”
Sky Sports Germany is reporting Dier will head to Munich on a one-and-a-half year agreement, with the England international’s contract with Tottenham set to expire at the end of this season.
Elsewhere, the club have reportedly landed ex-Chelsea forward Timo Werner on loan for the remainder of the season.
Tottenham remain in contention for the FA Cup, while their Premier League title aspirations are still in the balance, sitting in fifth spot on the ladder mid-way through their campaign.
Spurs have failed to win the FA Cup since 1991, and although Postecoglou’s team was on top throughout, Burnley defended stoutly despite lying in the relegation zone on the Premier League ladder.
Only a 78th minute strike from Pedro Porro separated the sides.