Pep Guardiola will reportedly take a chance on one of his former players from his days at Bayern Munich.
The Manchester City boss is set to complete a loan move for Bayern defender Holger Badstuber pretty soon, according to journalist Philip Harmeling.
"Badstuber has accepted a loan move to Manchester City," he tweeted on Friday."Few details to be done before confirmations by both clubs."
Despite Guardiola's affections, it does seem a rather strange move for City, given the fact that the player has only featured once for Bayern this season. Badstuber played in an experimental team against FC Rostov in the Champions League, and has been absent from the team since then.
He has also been troubled with various knee injuries over the last few years, missing 125 matches for Bayern since 2013. There have been ankle and thigh problems as well.
Badstuber has accepted a loan move to Manchester City. Few details to be done before confirmations by both clubs . #mcfc
Badstuber once blasted his former boss for not showing much interest in him during his injury period, so he may not be as fond of the Spaniard. However, he can be a major contributor if he can remain fit for the next few months.
He is great in the air, composed on the ball and has remarkable passing ability. Guardiola enjoys coaching such players, which makes a healthy Badstuber a perfect fit in the back-line.
With City having spent huge sums on the likes of Eliaquim Mangala, Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones - who have all disappointed on some level -perhaps Guardiola is experimenting with cheaper, short-term options to keep his team afloat for now.
The move would be great for Bayern as well. Carlo Ancelotti doesn't want to sell the 27-year-old, but is happy to send him out on loan to regain fitness and return to further the Bundesliga champions' cause next sea.