FC Bayern is generating much-needed revenue
Speculation has been rife, but now it's official: Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are leaving FC Bayern for Manchester United. The Dutchman bids an emotional farewell. Will there be more movement in the Jonathan Tah saga?
FC Bayern's squad overhaul continues. On Tuesday evening, the club announced that defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui are joining Manchester United. This double transfer had been hinted at previously. De Ligt, a Dutch center-back, is reportedly bringing in a €45 million transfer fee for the record champions, with the Moroccan Mazraoui fetching €15 million. The Munich side could also receive bonus payments. De Ligt has signed until 2029 with the Red Devils, Mazraoui until 2028, with both players having an option for an additional year.
"Dear Bayern fans, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your love and support," de Ligt posted on Instagram. "It was an honor to play for a wonderful club like FC Bayern for two years," he continued. The departure, he said, is "a whirlwind of emotions."
The double transfer eases the transfer logjam at Bayern. However, the record champions' squad is still too large, especially with more players expected to join for the planned rebuild. This could reignite talks about Bayer Leverkusen's defensive chief Jonathan Tah. Speculation about a possible transfer has been ongoing for weeks. At 28, Tah is entering the final year of his contract with the champions. If Leverkusen wants to secure a transfer fee, this summer is their last good opportunity. It's unlikely they would let a key player go in the winter.
Desired candidate Desire Doue reportedly turns down Bayern
However, "Kicker" reported on Monday that the transfer is unlikely to happen "unless something unexpected occurs." Not everyone in Munich's club leadership is convinced by Tah. Recent reports of an ultimatum for the transfer were false, said sporting director Christoph Freund on Tuesday evening in Unterhaching, where the Munich side won their final friendly 3:0 against Austrian Bundesliga side WSG Tirol.
It also doesn't look like there will be another transfer: Desired candidate Desire Doue from Stade Rennes has reportedly chosen Paris Saint-Germain over FC Bayern. The 19-year-old was meant to strengthen the attack.
At least now there's money to continue being active in the transfer market. The transfer logjam issue has caused a stir in recent days, largely thanks to Uli Hoeneß. His recent statement that players must be sold before sporting director Max Eberl can make new transfers was interpreted as a dictate, which Hoeneß dismissed as "nonsense." He had merely "communicated what the supervisory board has decided. There is a decision: If new players come in, something must be sold, you need to learn to listen and write the truth," he said, looking at the media.
Several established stars could still leave
But what happens next? With new coach Vincent Kompany apparently planning to use Joshua Kimmich again alongside million-dollar signing Joao Palhinha in defense, it's getting tight for Leon Goretzka. Aleksandar Pavlović, Konrad Laimer, or Raphaël Guerreiro could also play in the six position. Goretzka is therefore a potential sell, but he still has two years left on his contract and would be expensive. However, the Bochum native seems determined to fight his way through and not leave the club.
In the offensive, following the loan of Bryan Zaragoza to Osasuna, further thinning is to be expected. The most likely option at present is Kingsley Coman. Leroy Sané and/or Serge Gnabry could also leave, given the competition for the three positions behind striker Harry Kane, with Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala, Mathys Tel, Michael Olise, Gabriel Vidovic, and Arijon Ibrahimovic also vying for spots.
One thing is clear: With the DFB-Pokal match against second division side SSV Ulm approaching on Friday, sporting director Max Eberl and sporting director Christoph Freund still face several unanswered questions, despite the FC Bayern already being well-equipped, as Hoeneß noted last week. Eberl, however, recently spoke of the need for "good squad depth," stating that the club has "some young players, and we want to create space for them." De Ligt and Mazraoui are the first to make way.
The FC Bayern Munich squad has seen two departures, with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joining Manchester United. Their transfer fees are expected to bring significant funds into the club.
Despite Desire Doue being a desired candidate, reports suggest that he has chosen Paris Saint-Germain over FC Bayern, potentially leaving the Bavarian side with a need to find a different option to strengthen their attack.
