Bayern Munich: Douglas Costa unlikely to play again this season
Bayern Munich has got a rare two-week long break since they are not playing in DFB Pokal this weekend. The defending Bundesliga champions will have to wait until next weekend to clinch the league title. The break has allowed few injured players to recover, but Douglas Costa may have played his last game for the club.
According to Kicker, Costa will not be fit in time to feature in the last three league games of the season. The Brazilian winger has been on the sideline since mid-February due to a foot injury. He has started training on the grass, but it does look like he will not be fit to get some minutes on the pitch in the next three games.
It has not been a fruitful return to Bavaria for Douglas Costa. The Brazilian moved back to Die Roten on a one-year loan deal from Juventus in the final week of the summer transfer window. The German club has no option to make this transfer permanent, which they are hardly going to complain about. However, Rekordmeister did cover his wages in this deal.
Costa was brought in to fill the void left by Ivan Perisic. The Brazilian had to play the role of the fourth winger, which was basically the role of a squad role. However, his poor performances and one serious injury have meant that he has hardly played any meaningful games this season.
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The 30-year-old winger has managed only six starts across all competitions with 16 appearances from the bench. In limited game time, Costa failed to impress and make a case to get an extended run in the team. He contributed to three goals in these appearances.
Douglas Costa will return to Juventus in the summer. Since the Italian club was eager to listen to offers for Costa last summer, he might not have a future in Turin next season. However, the former Shakhtar Donetsk winger still has a lot to offer if he remains injury-free. AC Milan reportedly has an interest in him, while Premier League clubs could also try to sign him.
It will be interesting to see whether Julian Nagelsmann will demand a winger to replace Costa in the summer. Rekordmeister did try to sign Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea last summer, but Chelsea was not ready to listen to any bid.
Lewandowski excited to work with Julian Nagelsmann. dark. Next
Meanwhile, another former Chelsea forward has shone for Die Roten this season. Jamal Musiala has been in fine form this season. He can operate on the flank and number ten role. The teenage sensation is going to get even better next season, so the club might shelve plans to sign a new wide player. Since midfield is a priority area to address for Die Roten, it will be a big surprise if a winger arrives in the summer.