The transfer window opens in three weeks as Bayern Munich gear up for a busy January. The Bavarian club needs to strengthen the squad in this window to compete on all fronts. They are already short in some parts of the squad. Die Roten will be further weakened in January since few players will be away for the AFCON and Asian Cup.
Bayern and Tuchel are looking to strengthen the defense since they couldn’t get a replacement for Benjamin Pavard in the summer. The latest murmurs from Germany suggest that Die Roten have an ambitious target in mind for the winter transfer window.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, Bayern have made Ronald Araujo their top transfer target for defense. Thomas Tuchel has already held talks with the Uruguayan defender, but FC Barcelona have no plans to sell the defender. It will take an astronomical bid from Die Roten to make this transfer happen in January.
Xavi and FC Barcelona consider Araujo as a key part of their project. The 24-year-old defender may have to force a move to Bavaria in order to make this transfer a reality. It is a difficult deal to pull off in the summer, let alone complete it in January.
Araujo fits the bill in terms of the defensive profile Bayern and Tuchel needs in the squad. The Uruguayan can play in the right-back and central defense at a very good level. He also has the leadership qualities that make him an ideal fit for Die Roten on and off the pitch. Moreover, he is yet to enter the prime of his career, which makes him a perfect long-term signing for Bayern.
Apart from Araujo, Bayern have also been linked with several young and experienced defenders in the past few weeks. They are closely monitoring Stuttgart’s Waldemar Anton, along with looking at young options like Girona’s Arnau Martinez.
Rekordmeister have also been linked with Manchester United’s Raphael Varane, but a move for the French defender is not a priority. Bayern will look to go all in for Araujo before turning their attention to other options.
Along with strengthening defense, Bayern are also looking to improve the midfield options for Tuchel in the second half of the season. The German coach wants to sign a robust number six that can provide the defensive solidity to the team. Fulham’s Joao Palhinha remains a target, but Die Roten doesn’t want to spend heavily on him.