Report: Bayern Munich’s Sandro Wagner could be headed to China

Per a report by Bild, Bayern Munich back-up striker could be on his way to the Chinese Super League to play for Tianjin Teda.

Wagner, 31, was curiously absent from practice yesterday and there have been on-again-off-again rumors about him being unhappy with his lack of playing time this season.

According to BILD information, the Chinese first division club Tianjin Teda is planning to sign Bayern reserve Sandro Wagner (31). The club of former German coach Uli Stielike (64) is offering the striker a mega contract! Two years until the end of 2020.

There are two potential roadblocks in this scenario, however. First, Bayern would have to agree on a transfer fee for Wagner. The club would almost certainly want to at least break even on the €13m it spent when it acquired him from Hoffenheim last winter. Second, Wagner holds value to the team roster as the team’s lone, true striker behind Robert Lewandowski. Despite those impediments, however, Wagner could be moving on.

Tianjin is reportedly ready to pay about five million euros for the transfer fee of the former German international, whose contract in Munich runs until June 30, 2020. The amount should be too small for Bayern. Only a year ago, the record champion brought Wagner back from the TSG Hoffenheim for a transfer fee of 13 million euros.

Wagner’s value as a depth player would likely be considered at least somewhat integral by the Bavarians. Should the club decide to sell or loan Wagner out, Bayern may have to use Serge Gnabry or Thomas Muller as its primary options for a back-up striker.

If looking at other possibilities within the club, Joshua Zirkzee, who has appeared for both Bayern’s U19 squad and Bayern II this season, and Bayern II’s Kwasi Okyere Wriedt would likely be contenders.