Bayern Munich interested in Freiburg defender Nico Schlotterbeck

The last few transfer windows have seen Bayern Munich heavily invest in defense. The Bavarian club has managed to transition from senior players to young promising center-backs that can form the base of the club’s success for many years to come. While moving forward in the immediate future, it does look like Die Roten remain open to investing more in central defense.

According to SportBild (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern is interested in Freiburg’s Nico Scholtterbeck. The German defender has only two years left on his current deal at Freiburg, so it remains to be seen whether Die Roten plans to sign him in 2023 on a free transfer.

Schlotterbeck has previously hinted about staying in the Bundesliga instead of eyeing a big move to England and Spain. In such a scenario, Die Roten will have an added advantage if multiple clubs from Europe start showing interest in the young defender.

The young German defender has been included in the national team squads during international breaks this season. He is yet to make his debut but getting the taste of international football is just a matter of when rather than if for Schlotterbeck.

Bayern Munich’s plans to sign a center-back in the coming transfer windows will solely depend on the future of Niklas Sule. The Bavarian club is in talks with Sule to extend his contract, but time is running out for them. The German international can start talking to interested clubs in January since he will have six months left on his current deal at Die Roten.

Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger and Gladbach’s Matthias Ginter have been linked with a move to Bavaria. Both experienced defenders will be available on free transfers in the next summer transfer window. However, Schlotterbeck would be a bigger long-term signing compared to Rudiger and Ginter.

Apart from being a young and promising center-back, Schlotterbeck is a left-footed defender. In the current squad, Lucas Hernandez is the only defender that can play as a left-sided central defender. Schlotterbeck will provide good competition to Hernandez for this position if he eventually moves to Bavaria.

The next few weeks will be crucial for Die Roten’s plans for the summer transfer window. If Sule ends up signing a new contract, then there is no urgent need for a center-back. However, Schlotterbeck will remain a long-term target for Bayern if he continues to impress for Freiburg and the German national team.