Scouting Bayern Munich Transfer Target Granit Xhaka

Bayern Munich are often quite coy about their transfer targets, but lately, it has emerged that Granit Xhaka is on their wish-list.

Kosovan newspaper Telegrafi (h/t ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld) reported that the Borussia Monchengladbach captain agreed a move to Bayern in May. And although he'd penned a new contract with the Fohlen in February, Bild (in German) later revealed that the deal includes a €30 million release clause that will take effect in 2017.

Earlier this month, Bild revived the Xhaka-to-Bayern narrative, claiming the Bavarians had lined up the 23-year-old to serve as Xabi Alonso's long-term replacement. Although the Spaniard extended his contract until 2017 a few days ago, the prospect of Xhaka coming next summer is still possible. And in many ways, he would be a great transfer for the German giants.

It seems Bayern were keen to sign Xhaka last summer, per FourFourTwo, hence their apparent approach. In that case, he would have been Bastian Schweinsteiger's replacement after the then-vice captain left for Manchester United.

As a replacement, Xhaka would have been a perfect fit: When the midfielder signed for Gladbach in 2012, Switzerland trainer Ottmar Hitzfeld hailed him (via Bild) as "one like Schweinsteiger."

Suffice to say, Bayern would welcome another Schweinsteiger at the Allianz Arena, especially given that Arturo Vidal hasn't exactly set Munich alight since his signing over the summer.

On the pitch, Xhaka mirrors Schweinsteiger in that he's a hard-nosed central midfielder who has a range of physical, mental and technical attributes that combine to make him a very complete central midfielder. He's a determined ball-winner known for his aggression, one with enough strength to keep opponents off the ball, and he possesses good tackling technique.

On the ball, Xhaka has a great passing range and is proficient with both feet. He can spray the ball around at will—over short or long distances—and has good control. And critically for a player of his position, he also has a good mind for the game; his vision and decision-making are excellent.

Much like Schweinsteiger, Xhaka isn't a prolific goalscorer, but he has a cannon of a left foot. He's a real threat from distance, and he has scored some stunning free-kicks in his day. He isn't afraid to take penalties, and despite not exactly being a pillar, he has scored from headers on more than one occasion this season.

At the same time, Xhaka's aggressive nature can also cause him problems.

In Gladbach's final game before the winter break against Darmstadt, he was sent off for a foolish and pointless kick at an opponent. It was his third sending-off in this Bundesliga season alone and the fifth in his career in the German top flight, making him the youngest player ever to reach that mark.

In just three-and-a-half seasons at Gladbach, he's accumulated a whopping 44 yellow cards in all competitions (including second yellows) and has been sent off six times.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

It's in the realm of discipline where Xhaka needs to develop himself most. Every team can benefit from having an aggressive leader, but Bayern cannot afford to have a key player suspended every few games. The kind of petulance he showed last weekend is not becoming of a Bayern player and won't be accepted in Munich.

Otherwise, Xhaka looks to be the kind of player who could benefit Bayern.

He's well integrated in the Bundesliga and a native German speaker, so he should have no trouble adjusting to life in Bavaria. And he has the kind of complete skill set any club would want from a central midfielder.

Still just 23, Xhaka has his best years ahead of him. Bayern would do well to bring him to Munich.

@Mr_Bundesliga