Jan Vertonghen has revealed that Eric Dier told him to join Sporting Lisbon rather than Benfica when he left Tottenham back in 2020.
Vertonghen is one of Tottenham’s modern-day legends, having made 314 appearances for Spurs over his eight seasons in North London following his switch from Ajax back in 2012.
The Belgian international parted ways with the Lilywhites when his contract ran out in the summer of 2020 and completed a free transfer to Benfica.
The 36-year-old spent two years with the Portuguese giants before returning to his native Belgian by signing for Anderlecht, where he currently serves as club captain.
Eric Dier (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
Eric Dier wanted Vertonghen to join Sporting Lisbon
Vertonghen has now revealed that when he asked Dier about Benfica, his former Spurs teammate tried to convince him to go to their local rivals, Sporting instead.
He told Maisfutebol: “I remember I was on the boat in Amsterdam and I received a call from my agent, he told me: ‘Benfica wants to speak to you’. I thought: ‘Okay, it’s a great club, with a great history’.
“I searched the internet, saw what position they had finished in the previous season, and did more in-depth research.
“Obviously, I knew some of the players. One of my great friends, Eric Dier, played for Sporting. I called him, and asked him what he thought of the Portuguese League, what the lifestyle was.
“He gave me a very positive answer. He wanted me to go to Sporting (laughs) and I told him that wasn’t going to happen.”
Dier came through the ranks at Sporting and if reports over recent weeks are to be believed, the centre-back might have a chance to return to the club soon.
The Times reported a couple of weeks ago that the Lisbon giants are considering making a January move to bring the 29-year-old back to the club.
Spurs Web Opinion
Dier’s deep connection with Sporting is well documented, which is why I believe that he would be tempted to return to the club if an opportunity to do so arose in January or next summer.
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