:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68634140/1290349290.0.jpg)
No, you are not experiencing deja vú. There is potential for yet another defender with the last name of Richards to join Bayern Munich some time soon.
While we have previously reported the links between Bayern and the 22-year-old defender, it seems things have been moving in a more positive direction.
According to a report from David Ornstein of The Athletic (paywall), Bayern is in advanced talks to sign English left-back Omar Richards from EFL Championship side Reading. Ornstein adds that the youngster’s contract is set to expire at the end of this summer and believes that Bayern are working on a deal to sign him on a pre-contract agreement.
Who is Omar Richards?
This is a question I imagine a lot of you are asking.
Richards joined Reading in the 2015/2016 season after being released from the academy of then-Championship side Fulham. He’s made 83 first team appearances for the first team in addition to 23 matches for the club’s U-23 and U-18 sides. Additionally, he’s been capped by the England U-21 side once in October of 2019.
Richards has been hot for Reading this season, becoming an important first team back-line player on a squad currently sitting 5th in the Championship table.
The Athletic have speculated as to why Bayern are interested in him, providing a long-term idea and a financially driven idea.
For the long-term, Ornstein suggests that he fits the profile of a formula Bayern have perfected over the last decade:
“A pacy, athletic full-back with an impressive physical profile, he offers excellent value on a free transfer.”
Additionally, he believes there could be a financial incentive to bringing the young Englishman on:
“Bayern could also sign Richards and sell him back to a British club after he has gained further first-team experience in the Bundesliga, further inflating his value.”
Where Hasan Salihamidžic and Hansi Flick see him in their plans is tough to say. To bring in a young talent on a free transfer doesn’t harm the club financially. If he pans out, it’s perfect. If not, Bayern could send him back to England without much fuss. He would have spent time at the greatest club in Germany being the understudy to Alphonso Davies and Lucas Hernandez, so even if he doesn’t fit at Bayern, he would have hopefully picked up some valuable skills from the two of them.