NOT even Eric Dier would have seen this one coming.
Over the last 12 months, the 29-year-old’s stock has dropped to the point where his ten-year stay at Tottenham fizzled out with barely any fuss.
Mocked and abused by some Tottenham fans, the centre-back has made just one Premier League start all season — despite a defensive injury crisis.
So, imagine his surprise as he landed in Munich to complete his medical ahead of a £3.4million move to six-time European champions Bayern Munich.
With five months left on his Spurs deal, it was an offer Dier simply could not refuse.
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To work under Thomas Tuchel, to be reunited with his old pal Harry Kane and to force his way back into the limelight.
Upon touching down in Germany, he let out a cheesy grin and said: “Bayern is an amazing club, amazing.”
Tuchel, a fan of Dier’s versatility, admitted: “He has become a specialist at centre-back but he can play either there or in a back three.
“He often used to play in midfield. He will be a good alternative for the squad.” Dier, who joined Tottenham from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, has not moved to the Bundesliga to be a benchwarmer.
But he has competition at Bayern from the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano in the middle of defence, plus Leon Goretzka and Raphael Guerreiro in midfield.
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Yet Dier is not easily intimidated. Speaking on Spurs’ summer tour of Singapore, he explained: “I’m 29! I genuinely believe my best years are ahead of me.
“I don’t just believe, I know my best years are coming.”
Dier is one cap short of 50 in an England shirt and said this summer’s Euros were “on my mind” at the start of the season.
Helping Bayern to a domestic and Euro double could help to sway boss Gareth Southgate.
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However, the toll the current campaign has taken on Dier should not be underestimated.
He was cast aside by Ange Postecoglou’s desire for rapid, risky and exciting football.
The Aussie coach deciding to play two full-backs in Ben Davies and Emerson Royal at centre-back, while Dier was fit and available, spoke volumes.
The arrival of his replacement — Romanian defender Radu Dragusin, who signed for an initial £21.5million — would have also affected him mentally.
But Tuchel will be signing Dier for his impact off the pitch as well as on it.
His leadership skills and likeability will be a welcome addition to a dressing room oozing in experience and born winners.
Dier will also have a friendly face in Kane, who has hit the ground running in Munich with 25 goals in 22 appearances so far.
After a move nobody would have predicted, Dier will revel in being the surprise package on his European revival roadshow.
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