Bayern Munich executive Uli Hoeness has revealed that the club's search for a new defender will resume in January.
Thomas Tuchel's side can claim to have enjoyed a strong start to the season, collecting 17 points from their opening seven matches in the Bundesliga.
Back-to-back victories have also been posted against Manchester United and Copenhagen in the Champions League, with the club currently undefeated in each competition.
However, just three clean sheets have been recorded - against Werder Bremen, Bochum and Freiburg - since the start of the campaign, not including the shutout during the 7-0 win over minnows Preussen Munster in the DFB-Pokal.
As a result of a number of injuries, Bayern's relative lack of depth at the back has been somewhat exposed, leading to speculation regarding a move for Jerome Boateng.
© Reuters
The former Bayern defender had appeared on course to re-sign for his former club as a free agent, but that deal has now been scrapped.
Speaking to RTL, Hoeness has acknowledged that plans have been put in place to target a fresh face for that area of the pitch at the turn of the year.
Hoeness said, as quoted by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano: "We won't sign him (Boateng), it makes no sense for eight games.
"I'm hearing that our management may want to bring in another defender during the winter break — centre back or right back."
© Reuters
Tuchel had wanted to sign at least one more player during the back end of the summer transfer window, only to miss out on each of Trevoh Chalobah and Joao Palhinha.
While it is plausible that the Bundesliga champions could return for each of the Chelsea defender and Fulham midfielder, a move for the former appears more likely.
Chalobah has allegedly been told by Chelsea that he is free to depart Stamford Bridge, providing that they receive a suitable offer for the academy graduate.
The 24-year-old, who is capable of playing in a back three, back four and at right-back, worked under Tuchel during the German's time in West London.
Darren Plant
