In recent days, Benfica left back Fabio Coentrao and Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer have been revealed as near-certain transfer targets, but Bayern are said to still be in the hunt for more players.
As a potential back-up should the Coentrao deal fall through, Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel has come to the fore, and on Thursday, Bayern winger Arjen Robben hailed his Dutch compatriot, saying of the €10m-rated man: “He is a great talent with great potential. I think he would fit in at Bayern.”
Bayern have also set their sights on central defenders, and according to reports from Kicker, Manchester City’s Jerome Boateng and Benedikt Hoewedes of Schalke are among the players under consideration.
Heynckes is also said to be keen to bring Arturo Vidal with him to Munich, although Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller has issued a hands-off policy on the 23-year-old. Elsewhere in midfield, Kaiserslautern’s Ivo Ilicevic is tipped to come as a replacement for Hamit Altintop should the 28-year-old decide not to extend his current deal.
The Turkish midfielder, as well as veteran striker Miroslav Klose, are both expected to leave Munich in the summer as they hope to earn first-team playing time. Additionally, Andreas Ottl is closely linked with Hertha Berlin and is expected to transfer out of the club as well.
Should Klose leave, Bayern may pursue other options in attack, with Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov, valued at €15m, thought to be a potential signing for the Bavarian giants.
In the very likely event that Neuer joins Bayern, current first-choice goalkeeper Thomas Kraft is expected to leave. With Hans-Joerg Butt considering his retirement, should Bayern lose Kraft they will need to sign a back-up in the summer.
With the 2012 Champions League final set to take place in Munich’s Allianz Arena, Bayern are prepared to do anything possible to reach the prestigious match.
Heynckes has made clear his wishes in the transfer window, telling Bild: “The club must now take action.”
