{"id":538587,"date":"2019-12-20T10:10:52","date_gmt":"2019-12-20T15:10:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=538587"},"modified":"2019-12-20T10:09:33","modified_gmt":"2019-12-20T15:09:33","slug":"bayern-munich-struggles-show-need-for-winter-transfers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/12\/20\/bayern-munich-struggles-show-need-for-winter-transfers\/","title":{"rendered":"Bayern Munich Struggles Show Need for Winter Transfers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The winter transfer window is approaching shortly, and many teams across Europe are expected to make moves in it. Bayern Munich<\/a>, who typically remain quiet in the January window, could be unusually active this time around. If Bayern Munich hope to get their season back on track in 2020, they would be wise to forgo their usual caution and bolster a few areas of their squad with winter transfers.<\/p>\n

Bayern Munich Need Winter Transfers<\/h2>\n

Target Number One: A Right-Back<\/h3>\n

Since parting ways with Niko Kovac<\/a> in early November, it has not been all smooth sailing for Bayern Munich. The Bavarians have experienced many highs since then, such as their 4-0 drubbing of Borussia Dortmund at home. Yet a sense still remains that this side is far from the European powerhouse it was just a few years ago. Even recent victories over Werder Bremen and SC Freiburg have masked problems that were entirely evident in watching the team play.<\/p>\n

Most notably, the Bavarian backline is frail. Long-term injuries to Niklas Sule<\/a> and Lucas Hernandez<\/a> have left Bayern in a bad state. Jerome Boateng<\/a> is far from the defender he once was, while Javi Martinez<\/a> lacks the pace to keep up with many modern forwards. David Alaba<\/a> has done an exceptional job filling in at center-back, though, and Alphonso Davies<\/a> has been a revelation on the left side of the defense.<\/p>\n

It is at right-back, however, where Bayern most need to seek squad improvements. Joshua Kimmich<\/a> has become a mainstay in the Bavarian midfield, and rightly so. Hansi Flick’s men struggle without Kimmich’s presence in midfield. While Benjamin Pavard<\/a> has occasionally performed admirably at right-back, he is far from the player Bayern need to occupy that position on a weekly basis.<\/p>\n

Pavard lacks the speed and attacking capability required of a modern full-back. Compare his performances from right-back with those of Alphonso Davies from left-back and it becomes evident that the Frenchman simply is not convincing enough to be Bayern’s top choice in the position.<\/p>\n

And the club knows this. According to transfermarkt<\/em><\/a>, Bayern have their eyes on two main targets. The first option, both more affordable and more likely, is AS Monaco right-back Benjamin Henrichs<\/a>. The former Bayer Leverkusen defender has struggled to settle since moving to Ligue 1. Bayern could easily purchase him for \u20ac20-30 million, and he would be a great fit for the squad.<\/p>\n

The second name mentioned is Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo<\/a>. Considering he just signed with the Citizens over the summer, the likelihood of Cancelo swapping teams yet again in the winter is quite low.<\/p>\n

Target Number Two: Leroy Sane<\/a><\/h3>\n

After the significant injury Leroy Sane suffered earlier this season, many assumed a winter transfer to Munich was off the cards for him. At least, that was the case until just a few days ago. Reports all across Germany now claim Sane is eager to complete his swap in the January transfer window.<\/p>\n

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Exclusive: @LeroySane19<\/a> wants to join @FCBayern<\/a> already in january @SPORTBILD<\/a><\/p>\n

— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) December 18, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n