German giants Bayern Munich have identified Bayer Leverkusen's Benjamin Henrichs as a replacement for the retiring Phillip Lahm, as perSport Bild.
News of the 33-year-old's decision to throw the towel in on his playing dayshit the Bavarian club hard, with the versatile right-back a staple in the side for close to two decades.
The German World Cup winner, who is departing his playing role a year before his contract ends, is said to be eyeing up a coaching role within Bayern's setup , perhaps in a bid to start ascending the ladder of the hierarchy at the club early.
However, Carlo Ancelloti's side are said to already be scouting potential replacementsfor their supposedly irreplaceable star, with Henrichs the main focus of their mission.
The 19-year-old German has become a regular in the Leverkusen side after breaking into the team towards the tail end of last season, featuring in 17 Bundesliga games and six Champions League games this term.
The talented youngster also made his debut for the national side back in November 2016, featuring in the Die Mannschaft's 8-0 demolition of European minnows, San Marino.
A hugely exciting prodigy, Henrichs already has bags of top-level experience under his belt, could be the ideal man to carry Lahm's prestigious baton.
However, it will be no easy task. The Bayern legend has earned praise from all over the world, with former Bayern manager, Pep Guardiola, labelling him the most intelligent footballer he has ever worked with.
"Philipp Lahm is perhaps the most intelligent player I have ever trained in my career. He is at another level."
- Pep Guardiola. pic.twitter.com/USR8mgnvBM
This is from a man who made the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi, so to fill the boots of a player of this calibre will be no easy task. A new era is being ushered in at the Allianz and Henrichs could be set to play a major role.