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Previously, sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić had stated that Bayern Munich will speak with club veteran Jerome Boateng and his representatives at a “reasonable time” to decide his future at the club.
Per Florian Plettenberg of Sport1, the Bavarians still remain undecided on the subject of whether they will offer a contract extension to their 32-year-old defender. It is however, being estimated that the front office will begin talks in the spring of 2021.
Update #Boateng: A decision whether his contract will be extended or not has not yet been made. Talks about that will take place in spring 2021 probably. The club want await further developments. @SPORT1 #FCBayern
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 10, 2020
What further developments Die Roten await remains an interesting topic for speculation. Judging by the recent happenings and quality of current crop of defenders at Säbener Straße, there could very well be three factors playing a part behind the scenes:
- Uncertainty surrounding David Alaba’s contract. Boateng, who will be a free agent at the end of this season, continues to play a vital role under coach Hansi Flick. Aside from his on-pitch performances, he is still considered “a very important player” by his treble-winning coach. The door is still “open a crack” for Flick’s chief-in-defense David Alab,a but if he were to part ways at the end of this season, Bayern might be tempted into extending their experienced star Boateng’s stay.
- Air Richards and Tanguy’s development. It remains to be seen how youngsters Chris Richards and Tanguy Nianzou further grow and integrate over the course of the season. Despite impressing at right-back against Hertha BSC, rising American star Richards has received just one start in the previous two months. However, he has impressed in his short stints and looks ready to take on a more responsible role. Frenchman Nianzou is yet to make an impact but the youngster has no shortage of admirers, with professor Ralf Rangnick even envisioning him to become “the best defender of the upcoming decade.”
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- Upamecano’s future at RB Leipzig. Bayern have reportedly entered the race for hot prospect Dayot Upamecano, who has a release clause of €42million in his current contract. Should the German champs make an attempt at adding another young, superstar center-back, stalwart Boateng might be asked to look for a new challenge, with his youth club Hertha Berlin said to be interested in his signature.