Bayern Munich are not planning a squad overhaul in the summer transfer window. The Bavarian club is focusing on keeping the majority of players from the squad, as they recently did by extending contracts of Dayot Upamecano and Serge Gnabry.
The central defense looks to be an area where Bayern don’t have to invest on an urgent basis when the transfer window opens at the end of the season. Upamecano’s contract extension is a big boost since several European rivals were keen on signing him on a free transfer when his previous contract was expiring in June.
Bayern will be reactive in the transfer market when it comes to signing a center-back. A lot will depend on what happens with Kim Min-jae. The Bavarian club is open to listening to adequate offers for the South Korean defenders. He was heavily linked with several clubs in January, but the former Napoli center-back feels settled in Munich and wants to fight for game time.
Die Roten are looking at young center-backs across Europe to make sure they are prepared for a scenario where Kim Min-jae ends up leaving Munich.
The latest name to be linked with Bayern is Ruud Nijstad. According to SportBild (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern are interested in the 18-year-old defender from FC Twente. The Bavarian club is scouting Nijstad along with several big clubs in Europe. FC Twente will look for a fee closer to €10 million for the teenager.
Nijstad has made 11 appearances for FC Twente’s senior team this season. Considering it is his first season at the senior level, a move to a big European club would be a sensational opportunity for Nijstad. The 18-year-old defender may struggle to get game time in the first team at Die Roten and will have to largely play in the reserves team during his first season.
Bayern are unlikely to spend heavily on a center-back
One thing is certain: Bayern will not spend heavily to replace Kim Min-jae if he ends up leaving Munich. They have been linked with young defenders over the last few weeks. The persistent link has been with Tottenham Hotspur center-back Luka Vuskovic, who is currently excelling on loan at Hamburger SV.
The likes of Nico Schlotterbeck and Yann Bisseck have been linked with Bayern, but both players will be expensive due to their contract situations at Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, respectively. The likes of Vuskovic and Nijstad are more realistic center-back options Bayern will explore to ensure they don’t end up spending heavily on a player who will not be first choice option next season.