According to a report from Sport Bild, Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rudy has emerged as a top transfer target for RB Leipzig.
The transfer window closes in just one month’s time. Bayern Munich, who have only made one real move this summer, are unlikely to make any more additions to their squad. However, some high profile departures can certainly be expected. The club is reportedly in advanced negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain for Jerome Boateng. Arturo Vidal is also heavily linked with a move to Inter Milan, and a deal has reportedly been agreed upon.
Sebastian Rudy is another player whose future at the club remains uncertain. According to a report in Sport Bild, RB Leipzig are interested in signing the defensive midfielder. Ralf Ragnick has previously worked with Rudy at VfB Stuttgart and is eager to bring him to Leipzig.
This report also insists that there has been contact between Leipzig and Rudy’s entourage. Leipzig are ready to disrupt their transfer policy of only signing young players by signing the 28-year-old.
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Rudy joined Bayern Munich last summer on a free transfer from Hoffenheim. The German midfielder had a fantastic start to life at Bayern, as he became a key player for Carlo Ancelotti.
However, after Ancelotti’s sacking, Javi Martinez was moved back to midfield by Jupp Heynckes, and playing time became hard for Rudy to come by.
The German midfielder has previously claimed that he is ready to fight for a place in starting eleven at Bayern next season rather than push for a transfer. Earlier this summer, he was linked with moves to Napoli and Schalke that never panned out.
Rudy can still become a crucial squad player for Niko Kovac this season. The German international is tactically astute and his versatility provides some flexibility for the manager. He is likely to get a better picture of Kovac’s plans now after reporting for preseason training last week.
Rudy will have even more competition in midfield this season, thuogh. Leon Goretzka has arrived from Schalke, while Renato Sanches is set to stay at the club after his loan spell at Swansea City. Moreover, James Rodriguez also started playing in a deeper center-midfield toward the end of the last season and could do the same under Kovac. If he is not a clear part of Kovac’s plans, it will not be a surprise if Rudy asks for a transfer in the next few days.
Bayern Munich have already admitted that they will offload a few midfielders this summer. Kovac has admitted that he wants to work with a group of 22 players. Vidal is likely to depart and join Inter Milan while there are no concrete offers for Thiago Alcantara. Rudy’s departure will help Bayern in trimming their midfield options.