Kicker Report: Augsburg close in on deal for Fürth defender Maximilian Bauer
German footballing magazine Kicker reports that FC Augsburg are currently in the final stage of negotiations to sign SpVgg Greuther Fürth central defender Maximilian Bauer to a long-term deal.
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Twenty-one-year-old center back Maximilian Bauer has made 16 league starts for Fürth this season, but recently lost his starting role when SpVgg head-coach Stefan Leitl definitely settled on a central defensive pairing of Sebastian Griesbeck and Nick Viergever. There are reports that the Kleeblätter are restructuring Viergever's contract to ensure that he's licensed to play with the team after relegation.
With Bauer--an experienced German youth international--the odd man odd, the ever prudent Fuggerstädter are set to pounce on a disaffected player with an expiring contract. Moritz Kreilinger of German footballing magazine Kicker reports that the FCA are dangling a five-year-deal in front of Bauer. According to Kreilinger, the negotiations center on a free transfer after the season.
The timing of the move likely has few ramifications for some rumored departures from the FCA ranks this winter. Signing Bauer would nevertheless increase the likelihood that the Bavarian Swabian club would sell either Felix Uduokhai or Reece Oxford (both highly valued young central defenders) this summer.
