Bayern Munich will have to dip in the transfer market during the last ten days of the window to sign a defender. The Bavarian club needs to find a versatile defender that can replace Benjamin Pavard. Bayern have already agreed a fee with Inter Milan for Pavard’s departure.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, Bayern are contemplating a move for Southampton’s Armel Bella-Kotchap. The record Bundesliga champions have enquired about Bella-Kotchap. Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the young German defender, but there is no agreement on a transfer.
Bella-Kotchap showed signs of promise during an awful last campaign for Southampton. The Saints were relegated to the championship. After seeing several first-team players leaving for top-flight football, Bella-Kotchap is also expected to seal a move away from St. Marys before the end of the transfer window.
The 21-year-old defender will be an excellent transfer for Die Roten in the long run. He can initially come in and rotate with other center-backs at Bayern. Bella-Kotchap will also provide backup to Noussair Mazraoui in the right-back position.
Armel Bella-Kotchap's name has been discussed at Bayern, but it's difficult to imagine him joining the club as #4 centre-back behind de Ligt, Kim and Upamecano. Southampton want around €20m for the German defender [@altobelli13] pic.twitter.com/OX1we3Prcf
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 23, 2023
Bayern continue to explore other options to replace Pavard, so there is no certainty that a move for Bella-Kotchap will materialize. RB Leipzig’s defensive duo Lukas Klostermann and Mohamed Simakan have been linked with a move to Munich to replace Pavard. Leipzig is unlikely to sanction a departure after losing Konrad Laimer to Bayern earlier in the window on a free transfer.
Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida is also reportedly one of the possible options for Die Roten to fill the void left by Die Roten. The Bavarian club will part ways with Pavard only when they have a deal in place for his replacement.
Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui is expected to get an extended run in the starting XI. The Moroccan defender struggled for playing time last season but started the new campaign with a solid performance against Werder Bremen. Mazraoui has the chance to cement his place in the starting XI since Pavard’s departure is a matter of time.
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Apart from signing a defender, Bayern are also looking to complete a deal for Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Daniel Peretz. The German club has reached an agreement with Maccabi Tel Aviv over the transfer fee. Peretz is expected to complete the move to Munich this week. The 23-year-old goalkeeper will provide competition to Sven Ulreich. Manuel Neuer remains undisputed number one, while Ulreich will be the number two.