Bayern Munich set to rival BVB for Belgian defender
Bayern Munich is reportedly interested in bringing Thomas Meunier from Paris-Saint Germain in summer.
Hansi Flick was eager to improve Bayern Munich in the winter transfer window. The club remained tight-lipped throughout the window but eventually added one signing. Die Roten agreed to a six-month loan deal with Real Madrid for Alvaro Odriozola.
The Spanish full-back has not lightened up the place as Flick has continued to use Benjamin Pavard in the right-back position. It will be a huge surprise if the German club negotiates with the Spanish club for a permanent transfer in summer.
Despite Odriozola’s minimal impact, Die Roten still need a right-back. Pavard’s long term future at the club is in central defense. He has done a decent job on the right side of the defense, but he is limited in the final third.
According to Goal, Bayern is eager to bring Thomas Meunier from Paris-Saint Germain to fill the right-back position. The defending Bundesliga champions will face competition from Borussia Dortmund for Belgian defender. Meunier’s contract with the French club is set to expire at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.
More from Bayern Strikes
- Bayern Munich: Tactical takeaways from 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman set to be fit for Manchester United clash
- Bayern Munich unlikely to move for Trevoh Chalobah in January
- Bayern Munich: Key lessons from draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich remains keen on hiring Max Eberl
This report also suggests that Die Roten has already held talks with Meunier’s representative. Bayern were linked with Meunier during the January transfer window, so it is not surprising that these reports are emerging as we approach the final phase of the season.
Meunier will turn 29 next season. He is adventurous while going forward, but tends to have lapses of concentration while defending. If Rekordmeister plans to allocate funds for other positions, then Meunier will be a great pickup. However, they will have to make sure that their wage structure doesn’t get a hit while signing a player on a free transfer.
After the closure of the winter market, Die Roten were heavily linked with a move for Ajax’s teenage defender Sergino Dest. The German media outlets insisted that Dest is a primary transfer target for Bavarians in summer. Dest surely is not as good as Meunier right now, but he is likely to be a better player than Meunier in the future.
Next. 5 things to watch out when Bayern entertain Augsburg. dark
If Rekordmeister is planning to stick with Pavard as full-back next season, then signing Meunier will make a lot of sense. The Belgian will act as a cover for Pavard. However, if their plans are to sign a right-back that will become the first choice option next season, they can do much better than Meunier.