Soccer record champion - Bayern's summer of transfers: Ito, Olise, Palhinha - and who's leaving?
Large soccer tournaments in the summer are like bazaars for squad planners at clubs like FC Bayern. Which player do I absolutely want and who is shining particularly? Or can I get rid of a professional whom I want to get rid of myself, making him an attractive option for other clubs through his performances for the national team? The Munich bosses are following the European Championship closely, with sellers at the Säbener Straße reportedly having had little joy at home games so far.
After the titleless season last year, the record champion intends to attack again both nationally and internationally. This requires new players: Besides the already fixed transfers of Hiroki Ito (VfB Stuttgart) and Michael Olise (Crystal Palace), Joao Palhinha is also said to be close to signing. The European Championship participant with Portugal, whose signing from FC Fulham failed in the summer of 2023 in the last minute, has reportedly already undergone a medical check-up in Munich, according to a "Sky" report. A Palhinha signature, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Tuesday, is expected to still be signed before the training start on Monday. The Bayern remained silent on the matter.
Rumors of Spanish jewels
Moreover, the Munich team wants to sign German national team player Jonathan Tah from Meister Bayer Leverkusen. There have also been talks about an interest in Leipzig's Xavi Simons. On Tuesday, the Spanish "Marca" reported without naming sources that the Munich team, along with other European top clubs like FC Barcelona, FC Liverpool, or Chelsea, are interested in Spain's EM-junior Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.
The Bayern know that flashy names don't guarantee success. "I don't just want the best players, but the best team," new trainer Vincent Kompany emphasized at his presentation. And the best team is usually the one where it fits football-wise, but also atmospherically. A XXL squad with many dissatisfied stars who rarely play rarely creates a good mood.
How much money will De Ligt and Co. bring?
Therefore, this Bayern transfer summer will also be crucial in determining which players will still leave Munich. "There are no strike lists," sports director Max Eberl recently said. He also said that there would be players "who it will be harder for."
According to reports, Matthijs de Ligt, despite a contract until 2027, is the first candidate for a departure. The defender wants to join Manchester United, as Sky and "Bild" report. The Dutchman is said to have reached an agreement with the English.
Bayern would have preferred if de Ligt had impressed for the Netherlands at the European Championship and if they could extract a high transfer fee from United. However, the 24-year-old has not yet played a single game for the Dutch team at the European Championship. The Munich team wants at least 50 million euros for him.
De Ligt is not the only professional who could bring the Bayern millions: In defense, Alphonso Davies is a candidate. Real Madrid is his desired destination, but they are still hesitant. With his entry into the Copa America semifinals, the 23-year-old Canadian, whose contract runs until 2025, made his case. Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry (both contract until 2026) could not do the same, as they missed the European Championship.
New competition provokes departures
Joshua Kimmich's Paper Runs for One More Season. The Bayerns should therefore have a transfer fee in mind for the ambitious DFB player if they want him. Due to the impending commitment of Palhinha and the already fixed loan return of Josip Stanisic from Leverkusen, Kimmich faces additional competition on his defensive midfield positions and on the right defensive side.
Similarly, it goes for Kingsley Coman after the transfer of the highly praised compatriot Olise. The Munich team would let go of the Frenchman at an appropriate offer, despite the contract until 2027. However, other clubs might not be queuing up for Coman, who is very injury-prone and also very expensive.
- The European Championship serves as a bazaar for squad planners at clubs like FC Bayern Munich, where they assess potential transfers like Joao Palhinha from Portugal.
- Fulham FC's Michael Olise is already a confirmed transfer for Bayern, joining forces with Hiroki Ito from VfB Stuttgart this summer.
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah and Leipzig's Xavi Simons are reportedly on Bayern's radar for potential transfers, as they look to strengthen their squad.
- The Munich bosses are closely following the European Championship, seeking to sell players who haven't performed well during home games.
- Vincent Kompany, newly appointed Bayern trainer, emphasized the importance of building a cohesive team with good team morale and chemistry, not just collecting star players.
- Max Eberl, Bayern's sports director, acknowledged that the transfer summer will determine which players will stay or leave Munich, with some departure decisions expected to be challenging.
- Matthijs de Ligt, despite his contract until 2027, is reportedly open to joining Manchester United, much to Bayern's dismay, as they may miss out on a high transfer fee.
- Alphonso Davies has increased his market value through impressive performances at the Copa America, raising interest from Real Madrid, but his contract extension makes his departure more challenging for Bayern.
- Similar situations arise with Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, who missed the European Championship and could potentially leave Bayern, even with long-term contracts, if suitable offers are made.
- Joshua Kimmich faces additional competition with Palhinha's impending arrival and Josip Stanisic's loan return, leading to discussions about a potential transfer fee, given his contract until 2026.
- Kingsley Coman's departure could also be on the horizon as Bayern would be willing to let him go at an appropriate offer, but injury-prone and high salary concerns may make him a less desirable option for other clubs.
