Bayern Munich winger Woo-yeong Jeong will leave the club this summer as he is reportedly close to completing a move to SC Freiburg.
There has been a real struggle at Bayern Munich in the past few years regarding the integration of academy talents into the first team. The lack of game time for the young players has forced them to leave the club despite shining for the reserves team.
David Alaba and Thomas Muller are the only academy graduates in the current squad. The club needs to find a way to nurture talent efficiently and integrate them into the first team. Woo-Yeong Jeong is the latest young player that could leave Bayern.
Jeong is the most talented winger Bayern have on their books right now. However, the South Korean will struggle to get game time in Bavaria next season. The 19-year-old winger is eager to continue his development by getting the regular taste of the first-team action. Bayern rates him very highly but they will have to make a decision this summer which will benefit all the parties.
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The German club has previously confirmed that there are numerous Bundesliga clubs showing interest in the South Korean forward. According to Sky Sports journalist Torben Hoffman, Woo-Yeong Jeong could complete this transfer by undergoing medical at Freiburg this week. It is still not clear whether it will be a permanent transfer or a season-long loan.
The Kicker (via TZ) is reporting that Freiburg wants a permanent transfer but Bayern only wants to do that by including a buyback clause in this deal. Die Roten are wary of the enormous talent of the teenager, so it makes complete sense to add a buyback clause. It is just a matter of time before the two clubs reach a compromise for this transfer to go through.
Jeong was signed by Bayern in 2017 from Incheon United. He impressed for the reserves team this year as he racked up 13 goals and six assists (stats vis Transfermarkt). His impressive performances with the junior team eventually helped him to get some experience with the first team. He made his Champions League and Bundesliga debut with Bayern last season.
Jeong is not the only departure from Bayern this week. The Bundesliga champions have also loaned out Adrian Fein to Hamburger SV. The German midfielder signed a new contract with Die Roten last year and enjoyed a decent loan spell at Jahn Regensburg. A move to Hamburger SV is perfect for him to get more experience of the first-team action.