Bayern Munich are monitoring Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor as the Bundesliga champions plan for the future, according to reports in Germany and Italy.
The 17-year-old, who joined Atalanta from Genoa last summer, has emerged as one of Serie A’s most promising young defenders after a rapid rise in Bergamo.
Ahanor has made 16 appearances across domestic and European competitions this season, with six coming in the Champions League and one Coppa Italia match in which he provided an assist.
Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor. Photo Credit: Imago
Atalanta invested heavily in Ahanor, paying around €17m for the teenager, and the decision has been quickly justified.
Comfortable operating across the back line, Ahanor is noted for his physical strength, composure on the ball and ability to step into midfield areas qualities that fit the profile of a modern defender.
Born in Italy but eligible to represent Nigeria, he has become part of Atalanta’s rotation rather than a long-term project, underlining the speed of his adaptation to top-level football.
Sky reports that Bayern Munich have added Ahanor to a long-term shortlist as they assess defensive options beyond the current season.
Honest Ahanor. Photo Credit: Imago
The German champions are understood to be prioritising internal contract matters, including talks with Dayot Upamecano, but are continuing to track emerging talent across Europe.
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Several Italian clubs are also believed to be monitoring Ahanor’s progress, though Atalanta are under no immediate pressure to sell.
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The club has built a reputation for developing young players before commanding premium fees, and reports suggest it would take between €30m and €40m for them to consider an early exit.
Ahanor is eligible to play solely for Nigeria. The son of Nigerian parents, Ahanor moved from Campania to Genoa at the age of one and developed entirely within the Italian football system.
Despite being Italian by upbringing and cultural identity, he has never been eligible to represent Italy at youth level. Under current Italian law, children born in Italy to foreign parents cannot automatically acquire citizenship.
