Bayern Munich are not expected to be busy in the winter transfer window. They will potentially work on deals for the summer. Christoph Freund recently admitted that the squad is well-equipped to compete on all fronts this season, and the return of injured players like Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala will further strengthen Vincent Kompany’s team.
Even though there is a good chance of no incomings in the winter, there are a couple of players in the squad who will attract interest from clubs due to their contract situation. Raphael Guerreiro is one such player who has entered the final seven months of his contract.
According to A Bola (via iMiaSanMia), Benfica are showing concrete interest in Guerreiro. Jose Mourinho is eager to strengthen his squad in January and believes the experience of Guerreiro will add great value to the squad. Guerreiro is considered a boyhood Benfica fan and would be excited by this opportunity since he will get to play regularly ahead of the World Cup in the summer.
Juventus have also been linked with Guerreiro, but Bayern will be reluctant to part ways with the Portuguese defender midway through the season. Vincent Kompany rates him highly and wants to keep him in the squad for the entire campaign.
There has been no suggestion of a new deal for Guerreiro. Considering the fact that Bayern signed him on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund, they will be fine to release him in the summer.
Guerreiro’s value as a squad player was on display against St. Pauli
Vincent Kompany used Guerreiro in two different positions against St. Pauli on Saturday. He started the game as one of the players in the attacking quartet, playing just behind Harry Kane. The Portuguese forward scored the crucial equaliser at the end of the first half.
The former Borussia Dortmund defender moved into the right-back position in the second half as Michael Olise came on for Konrad Laimer. Guerreiro’s versatility gives Kompany great tactical flexibility. Moreover, the Portuguese defender also has the knack of delivering consistent performances across different positions.
Kompany will certainly be against moving Guerreiro in the winter transfer window. It remains to be seen if Bayern will resist bids for him. Despite not being the first-choice option in full-back positions, Guerreiro can certainly get a decent amount of game time during the second half of the season as Die Roten look destined to go deep in all competitions.