Coventry City are considering a move for experienced defender Patrick Bauer following his release from Preston North End, as reported by SportsBoom.
The 32-year-old centre-back is a free agent this summer and is also attracting interest from Derby County and Oxford United.
Coventry Eye Experienced Free Agent to Bolster Backline
The West Midlands outfit are weighing up a deal for Bauer as they look to add depth and experience to their defence ahead of the 2025–26 season. The former Preston and Charlton Athletic man has over 100 Championship appearances to his name and is available without a fee, making him an attractive proposition for clubs operating on tight budgets.
Although Bauer was a mainstay in Preston’s defence during the early years of his six-season stay, injuries saw him fall down the pecking order. He managed just two league appearances over the past two campaigns before being released this summer, bringing an end to his time at Deepdale. He was one of several departures, including goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, midfielder Ryan Ledson, and forward Emil Riis.
Derby County and Oxford United have also registered their interest in Bauer, with both clubs said to have held preliminary discussions over a potential deal. However, it is Coventry who are understood to be leading the chase at this stage.
Mark Robins’ side have added three new faces to the squad so far this summer: full-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden from Aston Villa, Spanish left-back Miguel Angel Brau from Granada CF, and goalkeeper Harry Griffiths from Forest Green Rovers. Bauer would add vital seniority to a relatively youthful squad, provided he can prove his fitness after two frustrating years on the sidelines.
A commanding central defender with a calm presence and strong aerial ability, Bauer enjoyed a varied and successful career across Germany, Portugal and England. After emerging through the ranks at VfB Stuttgart, he gained experience with MarÃtimo before moving to England in 2015.
His most memorable moment came at Charlton Athletic, where he scored a dramatic 94th-minute winner in the 2019 League One play-off final at Wembley. He made 124 appearances for Charlton and then spent six seasons with Preston North End, reaching nearly 100 league outings despite injury setbacks.
Writer’s View
This could be a low-risk, high-reward move for Coventry City. While fitness will inevitably be a concern after two injury-hit seasons, Bauer’s pedigree at this level is undeniable. He brings aerial dominance, positional experience, and leadership qualities that would bolster any Championship defence.
With Coventry seeking to regroup after narrowly missing out on a top-six finish, a steady, experienced figure like Bauer could prove an ideal fit at the heart of their backline.
