Bayern Munich submit offer for young Serbian striker

Christoph Freund arrived at Bayern Munich in September with the reputation of signing the best young talents at RB Salzburg. The Austrian sporting director is trying to emulate similar success at Die Roten. In the past few weeks, Freund has slowly made the mark at Bayern through some intriguing moves in the transfer market.

Bayern completed the deal for Adelaide United’s highly-rated forward Nestory Irankunda in November. The Bavarian club has also agreed a fee with Granada for Bryan Zaragoza. Freund and Bayern are now working on a deal to sign an exciting young Serbian forward.

According to Sky Sports in Germany, Bayern have made an offer for Matija Popovic. The 18-year-old Serbian forward is currently a free agent after leaving FC Vojvodina. Die Roten have made a contract offer to the forward, but they face stiff competition from Napoli.

Sky Sports also reveal that Bayern consider Popovic a long-term signing for the first team. Popovic is also open to signing for Die Roten, but the deal is not straightforward due to the presence of multiple intermediaries. As things stand, Napoli and Bayern are leading the race for the teenager’s signature.

Popovic can play as a striker or a number ten. He has been a prolific goal-scorer at the youth level, which suggests that he can lead the line at the senior level in the future. The youngster may train with the first team at Sabner Strasse next season if Bayern wins the race for him. His game time may initially come with the reserves team before breaking into the senior starting XI.

Bayern want to maintain a fine balance between young talent and star players in the first team. They do not have crazy transfer budgets, so signing outstanding young talents is the way to strengthen the present and future of the first team.

Freund is currently making crucial changes at the club that will help in a smoother transition to the first team for young players coming from the campus. Along with providing the right development path, Bayern should be proactive in the market to strengthen the reserves team. Talents like Popovic are exactly the type of explosive attacking players that Bayern should always add to their reserves team.

Meanwhile, Bayern are also working on adding a senior right-back to the squad before the end of January. The Bavarian club is locked in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain to sign Nordi Mukiele on a six-month loan deal.