Former Germany captain and 1990 World Cup winner Lothar Matthäus has defended the decision of Joshua Zirkzee to switch clubs before the close of the January transfer window.

The Netherlands U21 international of Nigerian descent saw himself fall down the pecking order of strikers at Bayern Munich following the arrival of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who is now backup for Robert Lewandowski, a role Zirkzee used to play last season.

In addition, Bayern signed an attack-minded player in Douglas Costa last summer, and Matthäus believes Bayern made it difficult for Zirkzee to thrive with their transfer policy.

In the current season, the former Feyenoord youth-teamer has logged only 102 minutes spread across five matches for the first team.

"You brought two older players up front with Choupo-Moting and Costa, although you had some from your own ranks who - in Bavarian words - felt ripped off," Matthäus said on Sky Sport Germany.

"Zirkzee was up and running last year and would have been in the lead in one or the other being able to play a game".

The 19-year-old Zirkzee has been linked with a loan move to Premier League side Everton this month.

Igho Kingsley