Bayern Munich transfer shortlist includes Bailey, Martial and six others
German news outlet Bild released an eight-man shortlist of players Bayern Munich are reportedly monitoring for a transfer this winter or next summer.
Bayern Munich are in a largely similar situation to the one they found themselves in around this time last year. Heading into the second international break of the season, the Bavarians are not in the best of form.
New manager Niko Kovac won his first seven games of the season but has failed to secure a victory in any of his last four — drawing two and losing two. The recent disappointing results have caused several to begin speaking of a “crisis” in the Bavarian capital.
A major cause of concern for the club is their lack of depth in the wide positions. With Kingsley Coman injured, Bayern are left with aging duo Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, along with Serge Gnabry, as the only wingers at the club.
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According to German newspaper Bild (subscription required), the club is aware of their issues on the wings and are prepared to add reinforcements within the next two transfer windows. They have an eight-man shortlist of players the Bavarians are monitoring with a potential future transfer in mind.
Most of the players on the list are familiar names for the Bayern faithful, as the club has been linked with them often in the past. Jamaican starlet Leon Bailey, who was brought to Leverkusen by Laurent Busser — now chief scout at Bayern Munich — is the first name mentioned. He’s followed by Croatian Ante Rebic, who has had a breakout year after starring in Eintracht Frankfurt’s DFB Pokal final win over Bayern and at the World Cup this summer.
Frenchman Anthony Martial, who Busser reportedly strongly advised Bayern to sign this summer, is still on the club’s list. Ligue 1 stars Florian Thauvin and Nicolas Pepe are also being kept under close watch from the club, while Christian Pulisic is the last of six wingers reportedly being monitored by Die Roten.
The two other players Bild references as Bayern targets are Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Lyon captain Nabil Fekir. Although Bayern are a bit crowded in the midfield department, there are ways in which a move for either player could make sense.
Bayern’s only real options in defensive midfield are Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez. Both players have a history of being prone to injury, while the latter of the two has fallen off significantly in recent seasons. De Jong would provide a young, solid option in defensive midfield, who would offer much more going forward than Martinez and provide a bit more physicality than Thiago.
As for Fekir, a move to Bayern would really only make sense for him if the club does not plan on making James Rodriguez’s loan move permanent, or if they have a significant shift in playing style planned.
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With Alphonso Davies joining in January, the club does have at least one wing reinforcement prepared. However, he’ll only be 18-years-old with no experience in Europe. It wouldn’t be too surprising if the club decided to pull the trigger and sign someone with a bit more experience, especially if one or more of their current wingers are out injured.