Holger Badstuber set for loan to “unknown English club”, probably Manchester City

Every new day seems to brings another wrinkle for Holger Badstuber’s impending transfer. This time it’s a new contract in conjunction with a loan to an unknown English club and an extended stay at Bayern Munich. This story is nothing, if not quirky.

Kicker reports Holger Badstuber will be headed out on loan to a club in England but did not specify any specific club. In preparation for this move, Badstuber will sign an extension with Bayern beyond this summer’s contract expiration.

The only English club that has been reported in combination with Holger Badstuber’s loan move is Manchester City, so it would likely be a safe bet that the 27-year-old centerback is headed Manchester way for a reunion with Pep Guardiola. While it’s undeniable that Badstuber flourished on the pitch whenever he played for Guardiola, he was also one of a number of players who were chronically injured during the Spaniard’s tenure at the club.

Manchester City certainly fits the playing time bill Badstuber is seeking as to date Guardiola has relied on a combination of Aleksandr Kolarov, Nicolas Otamendi, and John Stones to anchor a patchwork defense. If healthy, Badstuber would immediately slot in as the best of that quartet and as the only left footed centerback.

Given Holger Badstuber has managed to stay healthy for over three months now, Bayern re-signing and loaning the academy product isn’t a bad idea. And if the move doesn’t pan out, they nab a few million dollars on his transfer this summer.