As we near the second half of the Bundesliga season, it’s time to take a look at some of the incoming and outgoing transfers from the January transfer window so far. Here are some of the highlights from the Bundesliga winter window.
The Bundesliga Transfer Window So Far
RB Leipzig’s Youth Movement
Sitting fourth in the table, RB Leipzig’s squad has an average age of just 23. Strong at the back and clinical up front, Leipzig used the winter window to improve in midfield. Youth is a priority in Leipzig, with the clubs latest additions both under the age of 21. Signing from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, Malian midfielder Amadou Haidara joins Leipzig after a successful spell in Austria. Capable of playing in central midfield and on the right-wing, Haidara is a useful player. An €18 million fee will see Haidara join a talented group, as Leipzig look to secure European football.
Joining from sister club New York Red Bulls, American youngster Tyler Adams is another versatile talent joining Leipzig this winter. Just 19-years-old, Adams is a player every manager would love to have. Primarily a defensive midfielder, Adams is also capable of playing both full-back positions. Adams is used to playing the Red Bull way, expect him to make an impact sooner rather than later.
Old Faces in New Places
Two Bundesliga veterans, the winter window has already seen fan favourites Naldo and Jakub “Kuba” Błaszczykowski move on. Naldo has joined Ligue 1 strugglers AS Monaco. The 36-year-old Brazilian leaves a struggling Schalke side, after two years with the Royal Blues. Schalke manager Domenico Tedesco has confirmed the team will be looking for reinforcements this month. Once one of the deadliest players in the league, Błaszczykowski is now a free agent. Cancelling his contract with Wolfsburg, the Polish winger is rumoured to be heading back to Wisła Kraków. Two Bundesliga legends, the league and its fans will always appreciate their contributions.
Bayern’s Transfer Saga
In what has been one of the longest-running transfer saga’s of the season so far, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi is close to joining Bayern Munich. Recently agreeing on a £35 million fee, Bayern are closing in on their second signing of the winter window. It’s unclear if Hudson-Odoi will join the German giants this month or in the summer, but this saga appears to be coming to an end. Hudson-Odoi could be the clubs second addition in this window as Canadian winger Alphonso Davies joins the team. A transfer which was finalised last July, Davies will join Bayern for €8 million, an MLS record. Currently training with the first-team in Doha, Davies is expected to play a backup role for the rest of the season.
Home Sweet Home
Frankfurt and Freiburg are two teams looking to climb the table in the second half of the season. As both teams look to strengthen, funds aren’t readily available. This has led to both clubs searching for loan deals, a smart way of adding to their squads. Slipping to sixth in the table, Frankfurt have signed former player Sebastian Rode. After unsuccessful spells with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Rode returns to his former club in search of regular football. Lacking depth in midfield, this move makes sense for all involved.
As for Freiburg, they’ve re-signed ex-player Vincenzo Grifo. Scoring 20 goals in two-years, Grifo played a key role in helping the club gain promotion to the Bundesliga. Sitting 11th in the table, Grifo has been brought in to help Freiburg climb the table. The winter window can be valuable for Bundesliga clubs, with signings making or breaking a teams season. These teams will be hoping their work in January can help them climb the table during the second half of the season.
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