Bayern Munich keeping tabs on Benfica defender

Bayern Munich have been consistently signing center-backs in the last four summer transfer windows. It does look like they will be again in the market for a new center-back when the window opens again at the end of the season.

The Bavarian club was interested in signing FC Barcelona’s Ronald Araujo in January, but the Spanish club was not keen on selling him. Die Roten went for a stop-gap option by signing Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur on a short-term deal. The English defender has signed a six-month deal with an option of a further 12 months.

It remains to be seen if Dier will be at Bayern next season. The Bavarian club will try to get Araujo in the summer. The Bavarian club is also keeping tabs on other options in the transfer market since Barcelona are expected to play hardball for Araujo.

According to Record in Portugal (via OneFootball), Bayern have consistently sent scouts to watch Benfica’s Antonio Silva. The 20-year-old center-back is one of the highly rated young defenders in Europe. Manchester United have also shown a strong interest in the Portuguese center-back.

Silva will not be a cheap option for Bayern. He currently has a release clause worth €100 million in his contract at Benfica. The Portuguese club is known for selling top talents at a premium. It remains to be seen if Bayern’s interest in Silva will become concrete by the end of the season.

Bayern may need two center-backs in the summer if Matthijs de Ligt ends up leaving the club. The Dutch defender has struggled for playing time under Thomas Tuchel this season. He was one of Die Roten’s best defenders last season, but Tuchel preferred the center-back pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae throughout the season.

With Tuchel leaving at the end of the season, De Ligt will look to get clarity regarding his role in the squad. The Dutch defender is reportedly not keen on staying in Munich if he is a third or fourth-choice central defender for Bayern. Manchester United have reportedly shown interest in De Ligt, while Paris Saint-Germain tried to sign De Ligt during the winter transfer window.

Bayern are planning a big squad upheaval in the summer after a string of poor performances this season. Apart from central defense, there are likely to be big changes in the midfield during the summer transfer window. It is going to be an intriguing summer in Munich, with multiple changes in the squad and coaching department.