18 October 2023 , 07:06
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Bayern Munich are weighing up an emergency move for former Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos as they try to minimise the impact of a growing injury crisis.
Thomas Tuchel's side are unable to call upon Dayot Upamecano for a number of weeks after the Frenchman was forced to withdraw from the current international break due to a hamstring problem. Fellow Bayern central defender Matthijs de Ligt has also been struggling to shake off an issue with his knee.
A torn muscle for 18-year-old Tarek Buchmann means that summer signing Kim Min-jae is now Bayern's only fit and available senior centre-back. As a result, Bayern have been prowling the market for any free agent signings they can make to ensure their defensive injury struggles don't derail their entire season.
A potential return for Jerome Boateng was explored and though the ex-Germany international did briefly train with the Bundesliga giants, Bayern eventually opted against a move for the 35-year-old. According to Sky Germany, former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund man Sokratis is the latest name to be linked with a switch to the Allianz Arena.
Sokratis, also 35, has been without a club since the summer following his departure from Greek titans Olympiacos. Given the transfer window is now closed until January, Bayern's hands are tied, with the club only able to sign free agents until the new year.
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As expected, it is believed that Sokratis is very keen on the idea of plying his trade for Bayern and has already rejected an approach from La Liga outfit Real Betis while waiting to see if interest from Munich becomes more concrete.
He may have to wait a little while longer as Bayern medics aim to present Tuchel with a clearer picture of just how bleak the injury situation is at the moment. There is a chance Upamecano is out of action for as long as six weeks, but De Ligt is expected to return much sooner and has started training once again.
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Sokratis Papastathopoulos spent two-and-a-half years at Arsenal (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) (Dan Istitene)Tuchel has previous experience when it comes to working with Sokratis after the pair's shared time at Dortmund. The Greek centre-back spent five years in the famous yellow and black before making the move to what was then-Unai Emery's Arsenal.
Reports claim that Sokratis has actually received a number of proposals from clubs across the continent since July, but wanted to wait and see if any of the biggest sides suffered an injury crisis and needed a short-term solution. It looks like the retired Greek international has played a blinder, given that is exactly what's happened at the Allianz.
During his two-and-a-half years at Arsenal, Sokratis showed he was a capable defender. However, Mikel Arteta deemed he was not of the technical quality required and in turn terminated his contract in January 2021.