Eden Hazard, Frenkie de Jong named as Bayern Munich transfer targets

Various reports have name-dropped Bayern Munich among the clubs with concrete interest in superstar Eden Hazard and wonderkid Frenkie de Jong.

Almost a month has passed since the summer transfer window came to a close in Germany. Bayern Munich, who typically make at least one signing of decent size over the summer, remained quiet this year. The biggest move the Bavarians made was bringing in Leon Goretzka on a free transfer, but that deal was completed at the beginning of the year.

Bayern’s reluctance to spend big this summer is reportedly part of the club’s long term vision for the future. The board believes the current squad is sufficient to be successful throughout the ’18-19 season. However, next summer — when key players like Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will surely enter retirement or leave the club — they will reportedly be prepared to spend big to reinforce the squad.

Several names have already been thrown around as potential candidates for a 2019 move to Munich. There were recently a few more names added to that list.

More from Bayern Strikes

• Bayern Munich: Tactical takeaways from 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
• Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman set to be fit for Manchester United clash
• Bayern Munich unlikely to move for Trevoh Chalobah in January
• Bayern Munich: Key lessons from draw against Bayer Leverkusen
• Bayern Munich remains keen on hiring Max Eberl

Speaking on the The Transfer Window podcast, former journalist Ian McGarry listed Bayern Munich as one of three clubs with concrete interest in Eden Hazard.

"“My information is that Eden Hazard has concrete interest, if not offers, from three of Europe’s biggest clubs: Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.”"

The Chelsea winger is one of soccer’s biggest stars at the moment and, at 27-years-old, is just entering the prime of his career. For him to be linked with the Bavarians is beyond exciting.

There’s just one problem, though. Ian McGarry is far from a reliable source when it comes to transfer rumors. History is absolutely not on his side when it comes to trustworthiness.

It’s also not really breaking news to link three of the world’s biggest clubs with one of the world’s biggest players. Of course Bayern — whose biggest area of concern heading into the future is their wing department — would be interested in signing one of the world’s best wingers if possible. Until a more reliable source confirms Bayern’s legitimate interest in signing Hazard, don’t let your hopes of the Belgian moving to the Allianz Arena get too high.

The other player recently listed as a Bayern target is perhaps just as unrealistic as Eden Hazard. The Bavarians were named by De Telegraaf among several other clubs as one potential landing spot for Dutch talent Frenkie de Jong.

The 21-year-old Ajax starlet is one of Europe’s hottest young midfielders. He has all the makings of a future European star. So what’s the problem? Bayern don’t need any more midfielders. In fact, their midfield is arguably the strongest in the world already.

This move would only make sense if the club plans on offloading a player or two next summer, but even that seems unlikely. As it stands right now, de Jong’s arrival would only cause problems for Bayern’s midfield department.