FC Bayern Munich wanted to sign Real Madrid midfielder
FC Bayern Munich reportedly wanted Real Madrid midfielder to replace Thiago.
After a flawless 2019/20 campaign, FC Bayern Munich were not initially expected to improve the midfielder department this summer. The focus was expected to be attacking options, but the departure of Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool forced the club to sign a midfielder.
The German Champions eventually signed Marc Roca from Espanyol in the final week of the transfer window. However, Roca was reportedly not the first choice option for Bayern this summer to improve the midfield.
According to Marca, Bayern had identified Fede Valverde from Real Madrid as the perfect player to replace Thiago this summer. This report suggests that Die Roten couldn’t open negotiations for this transfer as Valverde and Real Madrid had no plans to part ways in summer.
Die Roten had reached an agreement with Thiago regarding a new deal, but the Spaniard changed his mind at the last moment and wanted a new challenge in his career. There was constant speculation surrounding his future since June. He eventually sealed a move to Liverpool two weeks before the deadline day.
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Throughout the summer, Bayern were linked with different midfielders. Tanguy Ndombele and Marcelo Brozovic were the midfielders that emerged as possible options to replace Thiago, but these transfers never materialized beyond rumours.
Valverde is not exactly similar to Thiago in terms of their style of play. He has excelled under Zinedine Zidane as a workhorse in the midfield department, playing as a number eight and ten throughout the last campaign. He is a technically astute player, but it is surprising to see Die Roten considering him as a top target to replace Thiago since he is not the type of player to dictate the tempo of the play from a deeper position.
Meanwhile, Marc Roca plays in the same position as Thiago, but he has a long way to go on reaching his compatriot’s level. Die Roten tried to sign Roca from Espanyol last summer, but the two clubs couldn’t reach an agreement regarding the transfer fee.
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Roca will provide cover for Joshua Kimmich in the holding midfield position. He can also play with Kimmich when the German has the role of the box to box midfielder. Corentin Tolisso also stayed at the club after facing uncertainty about his future this year, but the departure of Thiago closed the door for him. At the moment, there is enough quality in the midfield department at Die Roten to challenge on all fronts.