Report: Bayern Munich is planning without Jerome Boateng for next season

Despite various reports that Bayern Munich will meet with Jerome Boateng this month to discuss the veteran center-back’s future, two German outlets are reporting that the 32-year-old’s tenure with the Bavarians is coming to an end:

According to SPORT1 information, the Munich team will not extend the contract with Jérôme Boateng, which expires at the end of the season. Bild had first reported this.

Boateng, who has been extremely good and valuable for Bayern Munich this season, is not likely to be the recipient of “good news” when he and his agent Damir Smoljan meet with Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic.

Sport1 reported that sources within the club think a contract extension for Boateng is “very unlikely” and disputed that there is any thought that a one-year contract with a lower salary is even under consideration at this point.

What does this mean for Bayern Munich’s center-back corps for next season? That is where this gets interesting:

According to SPORT1 information, Bayern are planning on Lucas Hernández, Niklas Süle, Tanguy Nianzou and newcomer Dayot Upamecano from RB Leipzig in central defense. In addition, left-back Omar Richards can help out in central defense.

Sport1 is also reporting that Bayern Munich is not ruling out adding another center-back into the mix. The impetus for making another could be if Süle does not extend his contract this summer. Bayern Munich will not risk losing the center-back for free as his contract ends after the 2021/2022 season.

With Chelsea reportedly very interested in Süle, his future if considered “open” and negotiations with the big man are “ongoing.”