After the draw against FC Basel over the weekend, Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel raised concerns about the right-back position. The Bavarian club had to play Joshua Kimmich in this position against Basel since Noussair Mazraoui and Konrad Laimer are currently recovering from injuries.
Mazraoui is expected to leave for AFCON once he recovers from injury. The Moroccan defender will not be available for selection for a few games in Ruckrunde. Die Roten are looking into the transfer market to strengthen the right-back position.
According to Sky Sports in Germany and Fabrizio Romano, Bayern are interested in signing Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain to strengthen the right-back position. The Bavarian club is looking to sign Mukiele on a loan deal until the end of the season.
L’Equipe in France has also confirmed Bayern’s interest in Mukiele. Paris Saint-Germain will only sanction a loan move for Mukiele if they can secure a replacement. L’Equipe has also reported that Die Roten have already submitted a loan bid with an option to buy worth €25 million for Mukiele.
🔴🇫🇷 Nordi Mukiele, keen on joining Bayern as Thomas Tuchel believes he’d be ideal candidate for right back position.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2024
Deal depends on Paris Saint-Germain decision on negotiations on loan with buy clause.
PSG would also need to find replacement, anothey key point. pic.twitter.com/Cyu0T6WO1r
The 26-year-old French international can provide cover in several positions. Along with playing in the right-back position, Mukiele also has the experience of playing central defense and central midfield. His versatility makes him an attractive loan deal for Bayern in the winter transfer window.
Mukiele will also need very little time to get used to the Bundesliga since he played in Germany for four years with RB Leipzig. He can make an instant impact for Bayern on the pitch and also provide good cover in other positions. It will be a shrewd piece of business for Die Roten if they manage to get an option to buy inserted in the deal.
Bayern will not get a like-for-like replacement for Benjamin Pavard in the current market. The French defender can be replaced by signing two defenders in January. Mukiele will provide the cover in the right-back position, while another center-back signing will improve Tuchel’s options in the heart of the defense.
For the center-back position, Bayern have shown concrete interest in Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier. Mukiele and Dier will be smart and cheap options for Bayern that will help them see out the current campaign. The summer transfer window will give them the opportunity to address these areas with permanent transfers. If Mukiele ends up doing well, Die Roten can also sign him permanently.