Bayern Munich considering offering contract to former Arsenal flop Sokratis amid defensive injury crisis

Bayern Munich are considering a surprise move for former Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos as they grapple with an injury crisis at the back.

The Bundesliga giants will be without Dayot Upamecano for several weeks after the Frenchman was forced to withdraw from the current international break with a hamstring problem, while Matthijs de Ligt has also been struggling with a knee issue.

Teenager Tarek Buchmann has also been sidelined with a torn muscle to leave summer recruit Kim Min-jae as Thomas Tuchel’s only fit and available senior centre-back.

That has seen Bayern explore potential free agent signings, with a move for former player Jerome Boateng ultimately decided against despite the World Cup winner training with the team earlier this month.

Now Sky Germany are reporting that former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis is a genuine option being explored by Bayern.

The retired Greek international has been a free agent since leaving Olympiacos in the summer, with Bayern restricted to signing players who are without a club given that the transfer window is closed.

Sokratis would jump at the chance to join the German champions and rejected an approach from Real Betis last week as he waits to see if Bayern will solidify their interest.

Bayern are waiting to get a clearer picture of their injury situation with Upamecano potentially sidelined for as much as six weeks, though De Ligt has started training again.

Tuchel is thought to be a big fan of Sokratis and worked with the Greek defender during their time together at Dortmund, where the 35-year-old played between 2013 and 2018 before leaving to join Arsenal.

Sokratis has had a number of approaches since July but wanted to keep his options open in the event that a big club might need an emergency centre-back – which is exactly what has happened.

He would only be expected to provide cover until January, with Bayern likely to raid the transfer market when the window reopens.

The German giants made a late move for Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah in the summer – another player Tuchel knows well from their time together at Stamford Bridge – and that deal could be revived, with the west Londoners keen to cash in on a player who is considered surplus to requirements.

Sokratis, meanwhile, endured a difficult two-and-a-half years at Arsenal before his contract was terminated in January 2021 but enjoyed a revival of sorts with Olympiacos, where he made 94 appearances.

MORE : Trevoh Chalobah likely to leave Chelsea in January with Bayern Munich still interested

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