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Bayern Munich join Barcelona in pursuit of Luka Jovic

By Benjamin Scott

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - MARCH 20: Luka Jovic of Serbia controls the ball during the International Friendly match between Germany and Serbia at Volkswagen Arena on March 20, 2019 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - MARCH 20: Luka Jovic of Serbia controls the ball during the International Friendly match between Germany and Serbia at Volkswagen Arena on March 20, 2019 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) /
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According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Bayern Munich have emerged as serious contenders for the signature of Serbian forward Luka Jovic.

Bayern Munich made official on Wednesday their second addition for the upcoming transfer window. Lucas Hernandez, France international and 2018 world champion, will join on a five-year contract in July after the Bavarians paid Atletico Madrid €80 million to trigger his release clause.

Bayern’s big-money move for Hernandez, along with — albeit to a lesser extent — their prior confirmation that his fellow Frenchman, Benjamin Pavard, will join in the summer too, is a clear statement of intent from the club. Nothing will stop Bayern Munich from making the moves they deem necessary to improve for the future.

With their defensive line now settled, the Bavarians will now focus on the other areas of the pitch where improvements are still necessary. Despite having Robert Lewandowski, Bayern are still reportedly hoping to sign another striker in the summer window.

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RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner has long been touted as a prime transfer target for Die Roten. Recent reports, however, suggest their interest in the Germany international has cooled. Meanwhile, they’ve turned their attention to another young striker plying his trade in the Bundesliga.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Bayern Munich have made contact with Barcelona-linked striker Luka Jovic. The 21-year-old forward, on loan at Eintracht Frankfurt from Benfica, has been one of Europe’s breakout stars this season and will surely be playing for one of the continent’s top clubs next season. This report comes just a few days after the same source claimed Bayern submitted a €56 million offer for Jovic.

If it’s true that both Bayern and Barcelona are competing for Jovic’s signarure, the deciding factor could come down to the player’s club preference. Barcelona could potentially offer him a quicker route to becoming a regular in the starting lineup, with Luis Suarez older and declining faster than Robert Lewandowski. However, the Pole is already on the wrong side of 30, and Bayern need someone capable of leading then into the future. Some serious competition for his starting spot could also do Lewandowski some good.

There is also the Niko Kovac factor. Jovic is reportedly the Croatian’s number one transfer target. The player, meanwhile, could be swayed by the opportunity to reconnect with his former manager.

Next. Bayern Munich eye 2020 move for Kai Havertz. dark

If Jovic really is Kovac’s main transfer target, and Bayern plan on sticking with Kovac to lead them into the future, they should do everything they can to sign him this summer. That’d be a better move than signing Timo Werner and trying to shoehorn him into a system that he doesn’t quite fit and under a manager who doesn’t really want him.

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