West Ham United’s appalling defensive frailties are well-documented. The Hammers shipped 74 goals in the Premier League last season and are on course to match those figures this season.
The addition of Premier League-experienced Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Max Kilman, plus the highly-touted Jean-Clair Todibo, has done nothing to tighten the gaping holes in the rearguard. Konstantinos Mavropanos has looked like a fish out of water.
West Ham are still missing a crucial piece in their backline. They need experience and leadership. It could be waiting for free in the summer transfer window.
According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Eric Dier will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season on a free transfer, with his contract unlikely to be extended.
The former Tottenham Hotspur centre-half is an experienced figure who can help shore up West Ham’s shoddy defence. He spent around ten years in the Premier League between 2014 and 2024. The 30-year-old left to join Thomas Tuchel in Bayern Munich.
Upon his arrival, he took Matthijs De Ligt’s starting berth and became a popular figure at the club amongst fans, but with Tuchel gone, he has found playing time hard to come by.
The 49-cap England international has found himself behind Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae in the pecking order but has been solid when called upon, winning 100% of his aerial and 67% of his ground duels.
Dier is an experienced customer who is solid on the ball, and perhaps he can help the Irons find the defensive solidity they desperately need. At £0, he would be a brilliant signing even if he only provides squad depth and leadership.
West Ham should pounce on the opportunity to sign Dier. His Premier League experience, leadership, and defensive prowess could be the missing piece to their struggling backline. With Dier, the Hammers could finally plug the leaks and turn their fortunes around.