After a disappointing season, the German record champions are set for a major squad shake-up next summer. Among other things, there will be changes in the defensive midfield. It has now become known that a name from the Bundesliga has been intensively discussed as a candidate for the role of the holding six.
As reported by Sport BILD, a midfielder from RB Leipzig was highly favoured by Munich officials when they were in negotiations with ÖFB coach Ralf Rangnick. At the time, they were very certain that the signing of the 65-year-old would go through. The coach had already provided initial impulses as to what his preferred system at the German record champions might look like.
At this point, Xaver Schlager was being discussed as a possible reinforcement for the defensive midfield. The RB star had already made several appearances for Rangnick in the Austrian national team and was said to impress Bayern managers Christoph Freund and Max Eberl with his style of play. The 26-year-old was therefore at least considered to fulfil the role of the holding six in defensive midfield. Rangnick had planned for Joshua Kimmich to play alongside him.
Schlager still an issue in Munich?
Even though a Rangnick deal has been off the table for weeks now, Schlager could become interesting again this summer. A signing would depend on the new Munich coach, but with Freund and Eberl, the 26-year-old apparently still has two fans within the Bayern ranks.
The defensive midfielder’s contract at Leipzig runs until 2026 and the 26-year-old’s market value is estimated at €28 million. Schlager has been a regular for Leipzig this season and has set up five goals in the league. However, the Austrian was recently forced to sit out with a cruciate ligament rupture and therefore missed the end of the season.