Bayern Munich intensively monitoring Sporting Lisbon defender | OneFootball

Bayern Munich have consistently signed a center-back every summer over the last few years. They are expected to sign another central defender next summer since Eric Dier will move on once his contract expires at the end of the season. Bayern are looking to bring down the average of the squad, which suggests they will pursue deals for younger central defenders in the summer.

According to SportBild’s Christian Falk (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern are heavily scouting Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande. The Bavarian club has a positive impression of the young defender after the club scouts consistently watched him at Sporting.

Diomande has been an important player for Sporting Lisbon in the last couple of years. His contributions on the pitch helped Sporting lift the title last season. Ruben Amorim has used him in a back three at Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese club will demand a significant fee for Diomande next summer since his contract doesn’t expire until 2027. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United have been linked with Diomande in the last 12 months. Bayern will face significant competition for the young Ivorian defender if he continues to impress for Sporting in the next six months. With Amorim moving to Manchester United, Diomande may look at the next step in his career next summer.

Bayern may finally have settled center-back options next summer

The Bavarian club can have settled options in central defense for the next few years if they make the right moves in the summer. A young player like Diomande will be a long-term signing for Rekordmeister, while someone like Jonathan Tah will add experience to the squad. Bayern remain in the race to sign Tah from Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer.

The acquisitions of Tah and younger center-backs like Diomande will ensure Die Roten will have five players for two positions. From the age profile point of view, Bayern will have three central defenders entering their peak, one in the peak, and one young option. Barring any long-term injury crisis, the Bavarian club will not have to sign another central defender in 2026.

Bayern will observe the transfer market for young center-backs and other positions since they have no plans to sign players in January. Along with Diomande, Rekordmeister reportedly have shown interest in Ronald Araujo and Antonio Silva.

Vincent Kompany can rotate better in central defense when he will have more options next season. He has hardly used Eric Dier this season, which meant Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano played most games since Hiroki Ito was injured. The upcoming run of games will test Kompany’s resolve about making changes in central defense.