Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is looking to raid former side Bayern Munich in a bid to sign Holger Badstuber, reports the Sun.
City’s defensive frailties have been routinely exposed over the course of the campaign with Guardiola eager to strengthen at the back, despite a 5-0 trouncing of West Ham on Friday night.
The Premier League title contenders invested just shy of £50m in defence over the summer, though that was to merely acquire centre-back John Stones.
Given Vincent Kompany’s ongoing injury issues, Guardiola is aware he requires defensive reinforcements having used left-back by trade Aleksandar Kolarov at the heart of the defence on occasion this season.
It’s seen City linked with a surprise move for Badstuber, who Guardiola rates highly on the back of their time together at Bayern Munich.
The Spaniard is keen on a short-term move for the 27-year-old, who has made just three competitive appearances for Bayern this season due to injury.
Badtsuber is capable of playing the ball out from the back with ease and is comfortable in a back-three, which is a boost to Guardiola and City.
Guardiola laughed off suggestions of a move for the German centre-back on Friday night, but it’s believed a deal will be concluded in the coming days.
For more stats on Holger Badstuber, click here to view his WhoScored player page
It's Kimmich on the photo