Bayern Munich: 5 possible replacements for Mats Hummels

BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 25: Mats Hummels of Bayern Muenchen lifts the trophy in celebration with team mates after the DFB Cup final between RB Leipzig and Bayern Muenchen at Olympiastadion on May 25, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

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Bayern Munich have officially sold center back Mats Hummels to rivals Borussia Dortmund, so they could be interested in signing another young player at the position to replace the three-time Team of the Season defender.

Even at the age of 30, Mats Hummels is an effective player and one of the best center backs in the country. Per Sport Bild, Bayern Munich have agreed to a 31.5 million euro fee with 6-7 million euros in bonuses from Borussia Dortmund, who will reunite with Hummels after the one-time BVB captain left the team in 2016.

Bayern are in the midst of a youth movement, which explains why they sold Hummels back to Dortmund. They’ve already brought in young standout defenders Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard from Atletico Madrid and VFB Stuttgart, respectively, but they should aim to sign another young defender to replace Hummels.

Here are five possible options for Die Roten to pursue this summer, with a special focus on defenders who are currently shining in the Bundesliga.

VFB Stuttgart CB Ozan Kabak

Ozan Kabak has been one of the most popular young players in transfer rumors this summer, so it was only a matter of time before Bayern were linked to the VFB Stuttgart star. According to TRT Spor, Bayern would like to sign Kabak if both Hummels and Jerome Boateng, who seemed more likely to leave Bayern than Hummels before the transfer window opened, are sold.

Just 19 years old, Kabak was Stuttgart’s best player last season, as he even managed to outshine the Bayern-bound Pavard, who is a World Cup-winning starter for France. Kabak is wise beyond his years as a center back, and the former Galatasaray star could be one of the summer’s biggest bargains with a 15 million euro release clause.

Though some of the world’s biggest clubs like Arsenal, PSG, Manchester United and Inter Milan have been linked to the Stuttgart standout, Bayern would immediately be the favorites if they express strong interest in him. Now that Hummels is gone, the chatter has only increased, and Kabak could be a cheap, high-upside signing for Die Roten.

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