Chris Richards hasn’t earned a starting role with Bayern Munich and reportedly could have to go elsewhere in order to do play regularly.
Bayern Munich will be open to offers this summer for Richards, German outlet Bild reported Wednesday. The U.S. men’s national team defender is currently on his second loan spell at fellow Bundesliga side Hoffenheim and is recovering from a foot injury suffered on February international duty.
“He’s just been outside for a good amount of time now,” Hoffenheim manager Sebastian Hoeness said Thursday in his pre-match press conference, transcribed by LigaInsider. “I’m assuming that he will be fully operational after the international break at the latest and will then be a factor for me for the rest of the season.”
Richards originally joined Bayern’s Under-19 team on loan from MLS club FC Dallas in June 2018 before earning a permanent transfer in January 2019. The Alabama native totaled 61 appearances between Bayern’s U-23 and U-19 sides before making 10 appearances for the first team and registering one assist.
Richards has totaled one goal and two assists in 31 combined appearances for Hoffenheim, where he’s been reunited with former Bayern U-23 head coach Hoeness. He’s also earned six caps for the USMNT to date, starting in four World Cup Qualifying matches during the octagonal round.
Richards’ contract with Bayern runs until June 2025, but the Bundesliga club could recoup funds for him as Julian Nagelsmann aims to make several defensive additions this summer.