5 Center-Back Options for Bayern Munich Following Jerome Boateng's Injury
Bayern Munich have a center-back problem.
Last week, influential defender Jerome Boateng left Bayern's Bundesliga match against Hamburg with an adductor injury that is expected to keep him out of action for up to three months, per Philip Rober for UEFA's website. That's bad news for the German champions considering the fitness records of fellow defenders Javi Martinez, Holger Badstuber and Mehdi Benatia.
"You have to factor in that the other centre-backs in the past suffered setbacks," captain Philipp Lahm said, per Stephan Uersfeld at ESPN FC. "It's bitter that we have to do without Jerome. He is one of the cornerstones. That's certainly very painful for us."
So will Bayern and manager Pep Guardiola dip into the transfer market this month to reinforce the squad? The current season is Guardiola's last in Bavaria, and he'll be keen to win a UEFA Champions League title for the club before he departs.
Strengthening his options might make sense, and so today at Bleacher Report, we've come up with a list of players Guardiola could target as cover for Boateng's injury.
Did we miss anyone? Be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments.
Joel Matip
1 of 5
Joel Matip is out of contract in the summer and wants to leave Schalke, according to Sky Sports' Kaveh Solhekol.
Widespread reports are linking him with a transfer to Liverpool in January, such as this article from Samuel Stevens in the Independent, but a move within Germany might be a more sensible prospect for Matip—especially if a club with Bayern's profile were interested.
Matip, 24, was born in Germany to Cameroonian parents and has played his entire career in the country. He has loads of experience in the Bundesliga, and moving to another club in the same league would make for a smoother transition.
Comfortable in defensive midfield or central defense, Matip has the versatility that a coach like Pep Guardiola prefers in his players. This season, he has made 18 league appearances, scoring three goals.
One potential concern for Bayern is whether Matip is good enough to be a regular in the team. When everyone is healthy, he might struggle to break into the first team ahead of Boateng, Javi Martinez and Badstuber.
But as a short-term fix, Matip might be a great option. And in the long term, he could provide depth for Bayern's back line.
Kamil Glik
2 of 5
Kamil Glik is an experienced defender who captains both his club side, Torino, and the Poland national team. So far this season, the 27-year-old has gone the full 90 minutes in 20 of Torino's 21 league matches, according to WhoScored.com, and it's a record that hints at impressive durability.
Bayern have been linked with Glik in the past, with Tuttosport (h/t James Cambridge at the Daily Express) claiming the club had made a £22 million offer for both the center-back and former teammate Matteo Darmian last June. Darmian joined Manchester United instead, but Glik remains in Turin with a contract that runs until 2020.
According to Transfermarkt, the Pole has a market value of €11 million, so a bid might represent sound business for Bayern.
Nicolas Nkoulou
3 of 5
Like Glik, Marseille's Nicolas Nkoulou has appeared in 20 league matches this season, going the full 90 minutes in all of them. However, the 25-year-old Cameroonian center-back is out of contract this summer and could therefore be available on the cheap in January.
According to Transfermarkt, Nkoulou is worth about £12 million, but if Bayern have any interest, they might have to act quickly. According to Italian outlet Gazzetta World (h/t Telegraph Sport), Chelsea were interested in the tough-tackling defender as recently as the beginning of January.
Aymeric Laporte
4 of 5
Aymeric Laporte is one of Europe's most impressive, young, up-and-coming center-backs. With good passing and tackling skills, he'd be an excellent signing for Bayern Munich.
In fact, various reports have linked the player with Bayern several times in the past. In 2014, the Munchner Abendzeitung claimed the German giants were preparing a £30 million move for the Athletic Bilbao defender.
Last year, Deutsche Welle tweeted Bayern were "keen on" him as a replacement for the recently departed Dante.
Here at Bleacher Report, Clark Whitney selected Laporte as the one player Bayern will regret not signing in 2015, writing: "The Frenchman has a ton of potential waiting to be tapped and could have been a very useful addition to the squad."
The primary obstacle for a potential transfer would be money. According to Guardian Sport, Laporte signed a new contract with Athletic in 2015. The terms of the deal included a €50 million release clause.
Would Bayern spend that much for a defender?
Shkodran Mustafi
5 of 5
Shkodran Mustafi is a 23-year-old German international who currently plays his club football for Valencia. Last fall, some transfer gossip linked him with a move, and Bayern were reportedly among the interested parties.
According to an October report from Diario AS (h/t talkSPORT), Bayern were planning a January move for Mustafi, who earned a World Cup winner's medal with Germany in 2014. Mustafi has a £37 million buyout clause but could cost as little as £22 million, per the report. Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid were also interested.
It's easy to understand why Mustafi is an apparent target for so many high-profile clubs. As Gianni Verschueren wrote here at Bleacher Report:
"Mustafi is surprisingly mobile for a centre-back and is versatile enough to split out wide, although he does his best work at the heart of the defence. He's incredibly experienced for a player his age and is comfortable with the ball at his feet, like most modern German centre-backs are.
[…]
He's strong, mobile and has the vision and positioning to be a superb defensive option, but he also has the passing skills required in the modern game.
"
That sounds like an ideal combination for Bayern. Meanwhile, a move to Bavaria might also be ideal for Mustafi—a Germany international who would surely relish a chance to prove himself at his country's biggest and most famous club.
