Bayern Munich: Could former Dortmund man offer defensive help?
Bayern Munich is currently in the midst of an injury crisis at center-back. Dayot Upamecano’s injury will keep him sidelined for multiple weeks, Matthijs de Ligt is still recovering from his injury and the club decided against signing Jerome Boateng after Bayern fans protested the possibility during the team’s 3-0 win over Freiberg.
Even the 18-year-old Tarek Buchmann, who’s yet to make his first-team debut for Bayern, is also recovering from a serious injury. Buchmann is rated highly at Die Roten. The youngster will be training with the first team this season.
There are some alternative options, with Tuchel experimenting with central midfielder Leon Goretzka and right-back Noussair Mazraoui at center-back during the team’s 4-0 win over third-division side SC Preussen Munster in the first round of the DFB-Pokal cup. But there’s a big difference between playing Preussen Munster and competing in the Bundesliga.
Could Bayern Munich find defensive help in Sokratis Papastathopoulos?
Although Bayern continue to let Jerome Boateng train at the Sabener Strasse, his signing has been ruled out. With the transfer window shut for another two and a half months, Bayern will need to get creative if they want to find a defensive solution.
According to a new report in BILD this morning, former Dortmund star and current free-agent Sokratis Papastathopoulos is under consideration, with the Greek international yet to sign a deal with Real Betis as expected.
Sokratis is an experienced 35-year-old central defender who has made over 150 appearances in the Bundesliga, first with Werder Bremen (on loan from AC Milan) and then with Borussia Dortmund.
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The Greek defender’s time in Dortmund was so successful, that he moved to Arsenal in a deal worth just over €20 million, making 44 appearances for the Gunners.
Sokratis has most recently been with Greek giants Olympiacos, where he made 66 appearances between 2021-2023. As far as seasoned veterans available in October on a free transfer, it’s hard not to consider him a good option for Bayern considering the current situation.
The Greek played consistently for Thomas Tuchel while at Dortmund, so there is a familiarity between the two parties. It would also represent a great opportunity for Sokratis to come to a team tipped to be competing for Europe’s highest honours this season.
BILD has confirmed that as of today there are no concrete negotiations as the club monitors the rehabilitation of Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano, but things could accelerate quickly if either player fails to make the progress needed to assure the Bayern management team.