“He’s a very brave and talented player” Bayern Munich’s Thomas Tuchel considering offering lifeline contract to Arsenal flop amid defensive injury crisis
The Bundesliga giants will be without Dayot Upamecano for several weeks after the Frenchman was forced to withdraw from the current international break due to a hamstring injury, and Matthijs de Ligt has also been suffering from a knee ailment.
Tarek Buchmann, a teenager, has also been ruled out with a torn muscle, leaving summer recruit Kim Min-jae as Thomas Tuchel’s only fit and available senior centre-back.
As a result, Bayern has been looking at potential free agency acquisitions, with a move for former player Jerome Boateng being rejected despite the World Cup champion practising with the squad earlier this month.
Bayern Munich are pondering a shock move for former Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos as they deal with a defensive injury issue.
According to Sky Germany, former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis is a legitimate alternative being considered by Bayern.
The retired Greek international has been a free agent since leaving Olympiacos in the summer, with Bayern limited to recruiting players who are currently without a club due to the closure of the transfer market.
Sokratis would leap at the chance to join the German champions and recently turned down an approach from Real Betis while waiting to see whether Bayern will increase their interest.
Bayern are waiting for more information on Upamecano’s injury, which might keep him out for up to six weeks, however De Ligt has resumed training.
Tuchel is said to be a big fan of Sokratis and collaborated with the Greek defender throughout their time together at Dortmund, where the 35-year-old played from 2013 to 2018 before leaving for Arsenal.
Sokratis has received several offers since July, but he wanted to keep his options open in case a large club needed an emergency centre-back, which is exactly what happened.
He is only anticipated to provide cover until January, when Bayern is expected to reopen the transfer window.
The German giants made a late summer attempt for Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah – another player Tuchel knows well from their time together at Stamford Bridge – and that deal might be rekindled, with the west Londoners willing to cash in on a player deemed surplus to needs.
Meanwhile, Sokratis had a terrible two-and-a-half years with Arsenal before his contract was terminated in January 2021, but he had a type of comeback at Olympiacos, where he made 94 appearances.
