Bayern Munich strengthened their full-back, attack, and midfield departments of the first team this summer. The defending Bundesliga champions have spent significantly to strengthen the attack and left-back position by signing Nathaniel Brown and Ismael Saibari for €110 million.
The Bavarian club didn’t add a new face to the central defense. Bayern would have been active in the transfer market for a central defender if they hadn’t agreed a new long-term contract with Dayot Upamecano in January. The French defender had entered the final year of his current deal. Bayern managed to fend off interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid to tie down Upamecano on a long-term contract.
Upamecano and Jonathan Tah were exceptional for Bayern last season. They complemented each other brilliantly in the heart of the defense. Tah arrived from Bayer Leverkusen last summer on a free transfer.
Kim Min-jae was expected to leave Bayern this summer as the club was open to listening to offers for him. However, the South Korean had no intention to explore a transfer as he was content with life in Munich. Bayern also changed their stance regarding Kim Min-jae’s future. The Bavarian club wants Kim Min-jae to stay at the club next season. The South Korean center-back has enjoyed a good start to the season.
While talking to Kicker, Bayern’s director of Sport, Max Eberl, insisted that the current squad has world-class options in defense. Eberl specifically praised Kim Min-jae for returning to his best over the last 12 months.
"It’s simply the situation we have with Jona, Upa and Min-Jae. We now have three clear centre-backs, all three world-class, you have to say that. I think there are certainly quite a few clubs who envy us for the quality of these three players. Of course, we’re going to need all of our players given the sheer number of matches. Min-Jae really became much more stable and consistent last season, and he’s continuing that now."Max Eberl
Bayern also have the option of Hiroki Ito in the heart of defense. The Japanese defender can play in the heart of defense and at left-back. However, his time at Bayern has largely been dominated by injuries.
The defending Bundesliga champions were open to listening to offers for Ito, but it does look like he will be staying in Munich for next season. The Japanese defender will get opportunities as Die Roten aim to go deep in all competitions.
Bayern Munich may need young defenders next summer
Since Tah and Kim Min-jae are in their 30s this season, Bayern will most likely focus on signing a young central defender next summer. The Bavarian club is already keeping tabs on VfB Stuttgart’s young center-back Finn Jeltsch.
Die Roten will look to move on Kim Min-jae and Ito next summer to make way for a couple of new central defenders. For now, Bayern have a good group of defenders to compete on all fronts this season. Vincent Kompany’s men fell short in the Champions League at the semi-final stage last season. The Belgian coach will hope that his squad takes the next step and brings the Champions League trophy back to the Allianz Arena this campaign.
Add us as a preferred source on Google