Niko Kovac is not interested in bringing his fellow countryman Ante Rebic to Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window.
Bayern Munich have been linked with many players throughout the summer. The German Champions are generally linked with wingers, as Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are nearing the ends of their careers. Bayern already have a new forward, though, in the form of Serge Gnabry. The 23-year-old is set to stay at the club this season after a successful loan spell at Hoffenheim last campaign.
Ante Rebic is one player who has been heavily linked with a move to Bayern. The Croatian has previously worked with Niko Kovac at Eintracht Frankfurt and even scored twice against Bayern in the DFB Pokal final. Following that breakout game, Rebic enjoyed an excellent World Cup campaign with finalists Croatia.
In a recent interview with Sport Bild, Kovac dismissed the reports linking Rebic to Bayern. He went on to praise the forward, but said he is not interested in reunited with him at his new club. Kovac believes that Bayern are well stocked in the attacking department and don’t need any additions in that position.
"“Ante is a strong personality and great player, who has developed superbly in the last two years at Frankfurt and at the World Cup with Croatia.“But if you look at our squad, you see that we have a very high density of quality in [on the wings]. A commitment from Ante Rebic therefore makes no sense for us.”"
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The reports linking Rebic to Bayern always emerged as gossip rather than concrete news. Given that Kovac had worked with him so well at Eintracht Frankfurt, the link to Bayern was an easy one to make.
He would only be a rotational option for Bayern despite the high price touted by Frankfurt. Rebic might still get a big move this summer, as he has attracted a lot of interest from abroad after a successful World Cup campaign, but it won’t be to Bavaria.
Bayern Munich has also openly denied the rumors linking them with a move for Manchester United’s Anthony Martial. The young French forward wants to leave his current club, and Bayern has been tipped as the ideal destination. Bayern could try to sign the Frenchman next summer when he will have only one year left in his Manchester United contract.
The German champions have a plethora of options in the attacking department. Robben and Ribery are likely playing their last season in Bayern shirt, while Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman stand waiting to take over on the flanks. Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez can also operate out wide if needed. No new players are needed this summer, but that could change a year from now.
Kovac also explained in his interview that he told Robert Lewandowski he has no chance of leaving the club this summer and that he has an important role to play this season. The Polish striker has been agitating for a move to Real Madrid, but his World Cup struggles ensured a move to the Spanish capital was impossible. Moreover, Bayern Munich have always maintained their stance that the Pole is absolutely not for sale.