Bayern Munich entered into the summer transfer window under heavy expectations. The Bavarians have long promised a busy summer but have not yet made any moves. With far more players having left the club than joined, it is time for Die Roten to get moving in the transfer market.
Bayern Munich Have Much to do This Summer
The Need for Speed and Talent Out Wide
The area in which Bayern need the most reinforcement is undoubtedly their attack. After losing Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery to retirement, and with no real backup to Robert Lewandowski, the Bavarians have plenty of work to do up front.
Leroy Sane is the club’s primary transfer target for the summer, and rightly so. The Manchester City winger could be expensive, but he’d be the perfect offensive signing for the German champions.
Barcelona‘s Ousmane Dembele has been touted as a ‘Plan B’. However, the 22-year-old’s history of attitude problems could be a major turn-off for Bayern. The club could be reluctant to spend upward of €90-100 million on someone they are not sure they can trust.
Instead, they may be tempted to move for someone with a much lower price tag. Dutch starlet Steven Bergwijn has been heavily linked with a move to Munich, according to Philipp Kessler of Bild, and would represent a great second-tier purchase for the Bavarians.
The club could also use a backup striker, but it will be difficult for them to find a player of quality willing to ride the bench behind Lewandowski. They may have to rely instead on Serge Gnabry and new signing Fiete Arp.
Despite many past rumours suggesting otherwise, it now seems more likely Timo Werner will not move to Bavaria over the summer. The rapid striker will instead spend a season under Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig and likely join Bayern on a free next season.
Bayern are making the right move by going all-in for Leroy Sane. If he rejects a return to Germany, though, Die Roten should skip Dembele and instead push for Werner and sign one of their backup options, such as Bergwijn, for the wing.
All Good for Bayern Munich in Midfield
The Bavarians don’t particularly need a midfielder, but rumours suggest they could be in for one anyway. Specifically, Niko Kovac is reportedly keen on adding a defensive midfielder to his squad. He said in an interview with RMC back in April that they lacked a world-class player in that position.
After missing out on Rodri, who instead chose Manchester City, Bayern have been softly linked with a move for Espanyol and Spain U21 man Marc Roca, according to Kicker via BeSoccer. He would add some solidity and a good passing range to Bayern’s midfield, rotating with compatriot Javi Martinez as a midfield anchor.
Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Kai Havertz is undoubtedly on Bayern’s shortlist. The club has already confirmed, however, that a move for the attacking midfielder won’t happen this summer. Expect the Bavarians to go all-in for the Germany international in 2020.
The final question regarding Bayern’s midfield regards the future of Renato Sanches. The dynamic midfielder has only stagnated since moving to Germany and has not found better fortunes under Niko Kovac. Bayern Munich could look to offload the 2016 Golden Boy winner if an acceptable offer comes. However, do not expect them to go out of their way to sell the 21-year-old.
If they can get Roca for a fairly cheap price, that move would make sense for Die Roten. Otherwise, there should not be too many changes made this summer to an already talented midfield.
A Heavily Renovated Defence Still Needs Work
This one is a bit tricky. Bayern’s €80 million purchase of Lucas Hernandez not only made him the second-most expensive centre-back ever, but it also made him far and away the club’s most expensive transfer ever.
Together with fellow French international Benjamin Pavard, Hernandez adds a great combination of youth, experience, and versatility to Bayern’s defence.
The recent sale of Mats Hummels back to Borussia Dortmund leaves some questions about the state of the club’s defence. For example, what becomes of Jerome Boateng, who was recently advised by Uli Hoeness to begin looking for his next club? Should he follow Hummels out the exit door, the Bavarians would undoubtedly need to turn to the transfer market for depth in central defence.
Perhaps more pressing, however, is the club’s need for depth at full-back. With Rafinha gone, Joshua Kimmich is Bayern’s only natural right-back and David Alaba the only natural left-back. Sure, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez can fill those positions if need be, but both players are better centrally.
Monaco defender Benjamin Henrichs, who has been recently touted as a transfer target for the German champions by L’Equipe, would be an excellent signing. He would provide depth on both flanks and challenge both Kimmich and Alaba to consistently perform at their best.
Finally, Bayern might move for Schalke youngster Alexander Nubel as a long-term replacement for Manuel Neuer. That move, however, is far from necessity as long as Sven Ulreich and Christian Fruchtl are in Munich.
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