Getting to know potential Bayern Munich target Krzysztof Piatek

As reported in the Daily Schmankerl this morning, Bayern Munich is on the hunt for the next great striker and may have found a diamond in the Serie A rough with Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek.

Piatek comes very much in the Robert Lewandowski mold, Polish heritage aside. Piatek is a six-foot-tall striker who uses a combination of physicality and skill to maneuver his way through the final third. In addition, and much like Lewandowski himself, Piatek is considered a bit of a late bloomer, as his talent has only recently caught the attention of some of the world’s power clubs.

From Ekstraklasa to Serie A

Currently 23 years old, Piatek started his career at Zagłębie Lubin and made his debut in the Ekstraklasa (Poland’s top league) in May of 2014 before moving on to Cracovia.

Over the next two seasons, Piatek scored 32 league goals in 64 appearances, including 21 last season, when he finished third in the league in scoring. In June, Piatek made a major move to Serie A and Genoa, where he signed a four-year contract. Genoa only paid €4.5M for the Polish international, but the acquisition has paid big dividends so far as Piatek has 10 goals in six games across competitions.

Seizing an opportunity

Piatek wasted no time in asserting himself as the go-to “9” on Genoa’s roster ahead of Juventus loanee Andrea Favilli — at least for now. Favilli has been battling adductor problems but is 21 and has tremendous talent, which gives Genoa two excellent options at center-forward. Favilli, you may remember, was the Juventus player who lit Bayern up with a brace during the International Champions Cup match in Philadelphia this summer.

Regardless, Piatek is making the most of the chance to star at the striker position. Piatek scored four goals in his Genoa debut in the Coppa Italia in their 4-0 win over Lecce. Most recently, Piatek scored in Genoa’s 2-0 victory over Chievo, which marked his 10th goal of the young season.

Below is Piatek’s goal against Chievo:

Where he goes from here

The fact that Bayern’s scouts are monitoring Piatek does not guarantee anything, but it at least shows the club is eyeing a post-Robert Lewandowski plan. Lewandowski’s contract runs through 2021 when Piatek would be 26.

Obviously a move to a club such as Bayern would be advantageous for developmental purposes, but assuming Lewandowski fulfills his contract, Piatek may not be able to compete for a first-team spot until Lewandowski makes an exit. Would a young player with such potential make a move where he would see limited field time? That factor may also have played into Jann-Fiete Arp’s decision to remain with Hamburger SV this summer rather than make a move to Munich.

Piatek’s contract with Genoa runs through 2022, so the Italian side has some leverage regarding what it would take to purchase the 23-year-old, should Bayern elect to make a move. His estimated value on transfermarkt.de has skyrocketed to €4 million just since his move to Genoa. He is an intriguing prospect to say the least.