Chelsea Transfer News: Eric Dier Interest Reported Amid Bayern Munich Rumours

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are raising interest in Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier after a rocky start to the season saw him lose his place in manager Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI. 

That's according to Matt Hughes of the Times, who noted the Blues are just one of numerous European forces keeping tabs on the utility man "in case he seeks to leave White Hart Lane," adding that the player is unhappy with the amount of playing time he's received.

Dier, who can feature at centre-back or as a deep-lying midfielder, has started in 17 of his 19 appearances for Tottenham this season but was an unused substitute in Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Summer signing Victor Wanyama has risen to become an increasingly important cog for the north Londoners, although Football365's Daniel Storey argued Dier should have started ahead of the Kenyan on Sunday:

Chelsea added former Leicester City talisman N'Golo Kante over the summer before re-signing David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain to strengthen their defensive ranks.

If Blues boss Antonio Conte intended to play Dier as a midfielder, his squad could soon open the space needed, after the Italian refused to rule out a winter exit for Cesc Fabregas, per Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard:

"

In football, in my experience, it's very difficult to guarantee always something, so this is difficult. 

But Cesc is an important player for us. He played a key match against Manchester City, and played very well. In the last match (against West Brom) he came on very well during the game. 

Tomorrow I have still to decide the starting XI (to play Sunderland), but Cesc is always a good choice, for me. He is an important player and in the squad of Chelsea. Now this is the reality.

"

Another central figure who could soon depart Stamford Bridge is Oscar, whom the Telegraph's Matt Law reported was the subject of a £60 million bid from Shanghai SIPG that has since been accepted.

That said, it may be premature to begin musing about a Dier departure after the England international endured his first unforced absence of the season and only signed a new contract with Spurs earlier this year.

It's also a factor that, after losing his place at Spurs, Dier—who spent 11 years at Sporting CP as a youngster—may not find it any easier to work his way into the Chelsea or Bayern midfields given the level of competition at both clubs.

Conversely to Storey, Metro's Jay Jaffa agreed with Pochettino's recent decision to drop Dier from his midfield, and Tottenham fans will hope to see their anchor respond by returning to the form he enjoyed last season:

Conte's other alternative may be to envision Dier as a long-term centre-back replacement for club stalwart John Terry, who is out of contract at the end of this season and will most likely leave the Blues after 21 years in west London.

Dier, 22, may be more open to a move if that were the case, although the former Sporting starlet's head could be turned towards German titans Bayern, having already gained experience on the continent early in his career.