Bayern Munich monitoring situation of young full-back at Lyon
The scouting department and Hasan Salihamidzic will use the World Cup break to start planning the summer transfer window for Bayern Munich. Adding a quality striker is expected to be a priority for Die Roten next summer, but they may have to plunge into the market for a right-back.
Benjamin Pavard has hinted towards an exit from Bayern in the summer while talking to media in the last couple of weeks. The French defender is open to leaving the Bundesliga if another top club offers him the opportunity to play regularly in the heart of the defense.
Die Roten has no plans to sell Pavard during the winter window. However, they will have to start looking for his successor if he refuses to sign a new deal. Bayern may look to sign a young right-back to replace Pavard.
According to Foot Mercato (via Fussball Transfers), Bayern is closely following the situation of Malo Gusto at Lyon. The young French defender has less than 18 months left on his contract, so Lyon may have to sell him in the summer. Along with Die Roten, Real Madrid is also closely following the development of Gusto.
Gusto is considered one of the most promising young full-backs in Europe. The French defender features regularly in the first team at Lyon. He can contribute at both ends of the pitch, so the teenager can potentially become a very well-rounded full-back. Several clubs will show interest in him in the summer if he doesn’t sign a renewal at Lyon.
Pavard has largely played in the right-back position for Bayern, so it makes sense to replace him with a right-back. Noussair Mazraoui is likely to be the first choice option for Die Roten as he continues to get better under Julian Nagelsmann with each passing week. The new right-back is likely to be a backup to the Moroccan defender.
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If Bayern fails to have a budget for the right-back position in the summer, Josip Stanisic and Joshua Kimmich can be rotated in this position for a season or so. The next few months will give more clarity on the right-back position. As things stand, Pavard is more likely to leave, so plans are being laid out to find a suitable successor for him. Gusto can become a very solid long-term solution for Bayern in this position, so a move for him in the summer makes a lot of sense.