It’s widely accepted that Bayern Munich will look to strengthen central defence and central midfield over the coming transfer windows with the Bundesliga champions finding themselves short in both areas early in the new season.
Despite the injury crisis in central defense, which forced Thomas Tuchel to deploy central midfielder Leon Goretzka and right-back Noussair Mazraoui in center-back positions against Preussen Munster in the DFB-Pokal game, Die Roten decided against offering former player Jerome Boateng a contract to return to Munich.
Chelsea defender Trevor Chalobah was linked in the summer but recent reports indicate that Bayern are unlikely to return with an offer for the English defender in January. In central midfield, Fulham’s Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha’s signing was imminent, but the deal collapsed at the last minute since Fulham couldn’t find a suitable replacement. Palhinha has since signed a new deal with the London club, and while that doesn’t rule out a signing it likely makes it a little more expensive.
Bayern Munich turn their attention to Valencian jewel Javi Guerra
According to Bild (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern Munich are very interested in 20-year-old Spanish midfielder Javi Guerra, a highly-rated player who has already represented Spain at U21 level.
Guerra is a central midfielder who can also operate as a pivot and has been a sensation for Valencia at the start of this season.
Having started his career with Villareal, he moved to Valencia as a 16-year-old. He quickly rose through the ranks and was handed his debut last season against Seville. Over the summer he became a key first-team player, and his contributions have helped Valencia to ninth place in La Liga this term.
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In the first game of the year against Seville, he came on and scored an 88th-minute winner and has now secured a starting spot in Los Ches’s midfield thanks to three goals and one assist in eight games.
Former Real Madrid star Fernando Morientes has been left highly impressed with Guerra and has recently compared the young star’s game to former Brazil great Kaka.
"“He is very elegant with the ball at his feet and then he has this. He orients his body very well, he leaves the ball away from the defender. He has traits similar to Kaká’s. But then he defines very well and is intelligent in those areas where the light goes out for players in his area.”"
There have been no offers or approaches by Bayern yet, but the report indicates that Christoph Freund and the rest of the Bayern management team are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s young midfielder this year.
Valencia’s sporting director, Miguel Angel Corona knows what kind of player he has on his hands at Valencia. Despite the financial troubles facing the club, he is committed to keeping one of his stars in Spain. While speaking to the English media amid interest from Manchester United, Corona said that Valencia will provide the right conditions and environment for Javi Guerra to flourish and fulfill his potential.