(foto: Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's head coach, Thomas Tuchel, is eyeing U19 Serbian talent Aleksandar Pavlović for a first-team promotion, according to German media reports.
Aleksandar Pavlović, born in Munich and of Serbian descent, has been turning heads with his performances in Bayern's U19 team. The young defensive midfielder has already had a taste of first-team action this summer, featuring in friendly matches against Manchester City and Kawasaki Frontale.
Bayern Munich has started the Bundesliga season with two wins in as many games, but Tuchel has identified a need for depth in the defensive midfield position. Matches against Werder Bremen and Augsburg have exposed this gap, prompting Tuchel to look to the youth ranks for a solution.
Pavlović, currently valued at €200,000 according to Transfermarkt, faces a significant decision regarding his international future. He has yet to choose between representing Germany or Serbia at the national level. His compatriot, Lazar Samardžić, also born in Germany, has already opted to play for Serbia.
The potential promotion of Pavlović could signal a shift in Bayern's approach to integrating youth players into the first team. In recent years, young talents of Serbian descent, such as Miloš Pantović, have found it challenging to break into the senior squad.
While no official announcement has been made, the German media suggest that a decision on Pavlović's promotion could be imminent. If the move goes ahead, it could be a game-changing moment for both the player and the club as they navigate the challenges of the current Bundesliga season.