Bayern Munich scouted Kristiyan Balov before Red Star transfer

Bayern Munich expressed interest in Bulgarian football talent Kristiyan Balov prior to his transfer to Red Star Belgrade, according to Plamen Mihov, the chief methodologist for youth football at the Bulgarian Football Union.

Mihov revealed that the German club conducted its own research and evaluation of the player. While the club's assessment concluded that Balov was not yet ready for the first team, they determined he possessed sufficient quality to be integrated into the club's structure, specifically noting he would be a strong candidate for the second team.

A potential development plan involved Bayern Munich loaning the player to a first-division club in Switzerland, Belgium, or the Netherlands to monitor his progress. The interest was reportedly bolstered by a Bulgarian connection at the club, Petar Gaidarov, who was working there at the time.