Bayern Munich identify alternative for Jonathan Tah

The defensive problems of Bayern Munich were laid bare in their final league game against Hoffenheim. Bayern conceded four goals after taking a two-goal lead to lose the game. It was a performance that perfectly summed up Die Roten’s trophyless season.

Bayern will make significant changes to the squad in the summer to get back to winning silverware next season. They will plug the holes in defense with a change in personnel. Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah is one of the prime targets for Die Roten to strengthen the defense.

Bayer Leverkusen want to keep Tah for next season. The German defender played a crucial role in Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga campaign. The Bundesliga champions will try to convince Tah by offering him a new deal. Die Roten have identified an alternative for Tah in case a transfer doesn’t materialize.

According to Bild’s Christian Falk, Bayern are interested in RB Salzburg’s Oumar Solet. The 24-year-old defender joined RB Salzburg under Christoph Freund four years ago. With one year left on his contract, Freund is interested in bringing Solet to Bavaria.

Like Tah, Solet will be a good market opportunity for Bayern due to his contract situation. The French defender will add more depth to the central defense. He has been a mainstay in the starting XI for RB Salzburg in the last three seasons. 

It is not clear how many central defenders Bayern are planning to sign in the summer. Kim Min-jae and Matthijs de Ligt have ruled out leaving Bavaria in the summer. Eric Dier has triggered a contract extension until the end of next season. Dayot Upamecano’s future at the club is uncertain after becoming fourth choice center-back in the squad during Ruckrunde.

If Upamecano leaves Bavaria in the summer, Bayern will need one more center-back along with Tah or Solet. They have consistently scouted Benfica’s Antonio Silva, but the Portuguese defender has a hefty release clause in his contract. Bayern will have to negotiate a fee with Benfica instead of paying the release clause for Silva.

Apart from central defense, Bayern may have to sign a new left-back in the summer. The future of Alphonso Davies is uncertain. He has yet to agree contract extension while there is strong interest from Real Madrid. Die Roten will cash in for Davies this summer if he rejects the final contract extension offer. The Bavarian club has already held preliminary talks with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez as a potential replacement for Davies.