Bayern Munich have seemingly ruled out signing a new centre-back on the final day of the winter transfer window, although media reports claim the club could still make a late move.
On Sunday, it was reported that Javi Martinez is set for a spell on the sidelines due to problems with his left knee -- the knee he tore his anterior cruciate ligaments in prior to the 2014-15 season.
The club and player both have said the injury is not that bad, but sporting executive Matthias Sammer told Sky that he might need surgery.
Germany international Jerome Boateng, meanwhile, has sustained a "severe groin injury," and told reporters at the weekend he is set to miss up to three months.
"We already had a close look at the transfer market following Boateng's injury," Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Sky90 on Sunday evening, but added that it is nearly impossible to sign a quality centre-back eligible to play in Champions League during the winter transfer period.
"There are no good players from big clubs," he said, but not entirely ruling out a late move when saying that the "transfer window in Germany closes at 6 p.m. CET."
However, Bild reported on Monday that Bayern are considering a short-term solution, as they hope to bring a player on loan, with technical director Michael Reschke closely monitoring the transfer market.
In injury-prone Holger Badstuber, the Bavarians currently have one experienced centre-back available.
Medhi Benatia is making progress with his comeback, but the Morocco international has been struggling with muscular problems since joining from Rome in the summer of 2014.
On Sunday, Bayern beat strugglers Hoffenheim 2-0. Following Atletico Madrid's 2-1 defeat against Barcelona, the Bavarians are the only club across the five European top leagues to have conceded under 10 goals.
Coach Pep Guardiola played midfielder Joshua Kimmich in an unusual role in the back three, and later on his postmatch news conference said "we have a new centre-back."
However, the Catalan added: "Of course, we have a problem [at the centre-back position]."
Bayern take on Juventus in the round of 16 in the Champions League later this month. The Serie A club have won 12 consecutive matches in the Italian top flight following initial struggles early on in the season.