Football Bundesliga - Wunschtransfer will be diligent: further Bavaria-plans
The new Bayern professional Hiroki Ito talks about Thomas Müller as a new Instagram follower and the restaurant tips from Serge Gnabry. Sport director Christoph Freund had to answer numerous questions about the further Munich transfer plans. "We'll see what the next weeks bring. It was important for us to make some moves early on", said the Austrian.
So far, the Munich defenders Ito from Stuttgart, midfielder João Palhinha (FC Fulham), and winger Michael Olise (Crystal Palace) have been signed. "The transfers we've made so far were absolute dream transfers", emphasized Freund. The trio costs the football record champion around 125 million Euro in transfer fees.
Praise for Xavi Simons
There is intense speculation about further transfers, such as Jonathan Tah from Leverkusen or Xavi Simons (Paris Saint-Germain) in Munich. "Xavi Simons had a great European Championship and last year played a super Bundesliga season with Leipzig", said Freund. "He will make a really great career at the highest level. He brings everything with him, including mentality and character." There's more to it, but that's all for now.
The Dutchman Simons was previously loaned to Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain. His former teammate and EM star Dani Olmo has also been linked to the Munich team. Both offensive players are highly sought after by several top clubs.
Transfermarket takes off after EM journey
"It's still relatively quiet on the international transfer market, certainly also due to the EM", said Freund. "Things will pick up in the next few weeks."
Departures may also be in store for the Munich star squad. Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt is being linked to Manchester United. The future of German internationals Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, or Joshua Kimmich is being speculated about.
Just a small squad for now
"We have a very, very good squad together right now. Whether something else will happen, we can't exclude that", said Freund. With an XXL squad full of stars who all want to play and are unhappy if they don't, Bayern doesn't want to work.
"We're very happy that we're now well-positioned and not under pressure", said Freund a day before the first training session with new coach Vincent Kompany on this Wednesday. The Belgian must first work with a small squad due to the vacations of his national players.
Ito's promise
Ito is looking forward to getting to know his first colleagues in a smaller circle. "I'm not your typical Japanese. But I'll try to make a significant contribution with a lot of hard work. That's a typical Japanese mentality", said the 25-year-old, whose contract runs until 2028.
A holiday break for goalscorer Kane
The return of striker star Harry Kane will have to wait until August for coach Kompany. "He's taking some time to rest, recharge his energy, and enjoy some time with his family", said Freund after the latest final disappointment for England's goalscoring captain.
"Of course, it was tough for him after such an European Championship not to win the final. It wasn't his first final", said Freund. Kane lost the European Championship final with England 1:2 against Spain.
South Korea without Kane
"We have another very, very intense autumn ahead of us. And that's why Harry will have three weeks to rest and recover", reported Freund. Kane will therefore miss the South Korea trip from July 31 and will only return to the team in August.
"Alphonso Davies is currently taking some rest after his time at the Copa America and finishing fourth with Canada. The contract extension of the left full-back, who is a candidate for a Real Madrid transfer, is proving to be difficult.
"Key player" in last contract year
"He's in his last contract year now. And then we'll see how the talks go. The door is not open yet", said a friend about the "absolute key player".
- Hiroki Ito expressed his gratitude towards Thomas Müller for following him on Instagram and shared restaurant tips from Serge Gnabry.
- FC Fulham's João Palhinha, Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, and Stuttgart's Hiroki Ito have joined FC Bayern Munich, with a combined transfer fee of around 125 million Euro.
- Christoph Freund praised the signings, calling them "dream transfers."
- There's speculation about Xavi Simons (Paris Saint-Germain) and Jonathan Tah (Leverkusen) joining Munich's squad.
- Xavi Simons had a standout performance at the European Championship and played well in the Bundesliga with Leipzig last season.
- Dani Olmo, another offensive player, has been linked to Bayern Munich.
- The transfer market is expected to pick up in the coming weeks due to the European Championship.
- Manchester United is being linked to Matthijs de Ligt, while the future of Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, and Joshua Kimmich is uncertain.
- The Bayern team currently has a strong squad, with a small number of unhappy stars.
- Vincent Kompany will start his coaching tenure with a small squad due to the vacations of his national players.
- Hiroki Ito is eager to contribute to the team with his hard work and typical Japanese mentality.
- Striker star Harry Kane will take a break until August to rest and spend time with his family.
- Alphonso Davies is currently taking a break after finishing fourth with Canada at the Copa America, and negotiations for a contract extension with Bayern Munich are proving difficult.
