The signing of Moritz Bauer made a lot of sense in the Summer, especially when you consider the right back position was up in the air and his versatility looked useful.
Fast forward a few months and Hatem Abd Elhamed looks like a class act while Jeremie Frimpong has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in the team.
That means the Austrian international is third choice at best, so it will cast any thoughts of a permanent transfer into doubt.
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HITC reported that Stoke City paid £5m to sign him in 2018, so you also have to think that they would want to recoup a lot of that if he’s sold on.
Unless either Frimpong or Abd Elhamed move on in the Summer, then it’s hard to make a case for keeping Bauer after this season, especially when you consider he’s only played in six league games this year.
It’s possible that Lenny might want to have a third choice option in the squad to cover for emergencies next year, but they do have Anthony Ralston returning from his loan spell at St Johnstone in the Summer who could fill that role.
It’s still possible that injuries could strike and he might get a chance to impress between now and the end of the season, but that now looks unlikely.
