The final transfer target of the summer for Bayern Munich is unlikely to arrive in Bavaria. The Bundesliga champions have been working on a deal to sign Konrad Laimer, but RB Leipzig has been firm on their evaluation. Leipzig also wants to avoid selling another big player to Die Roten after losing Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer in the last 12 months.
According to Bild, Bayern had a third bid rejected for Laimer. The last offer was worth €24 million, which included €4 million in bonuses. Leipzig would receive €2 million if Bayern wins the Bundesliga and €2 million for Champions League. Leipzig has rejected the bid without hesitation despite Laimer entering the final 12 months of his current deal.
Bayern previously had two bids rejected worth €20 million and €23 million, including add-ons. Things could change in the next eight days, but as things stand, Laimer will play for Leipzig this season. Leipzig will reportedly sell him if offers from clubs outside Bundesliga arrive, but it does look like Laimer has set his heart on move to Bavaria.
The Austrian midfielder has already agreed personal terms with Die Roten. He will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January and eventually join Rekordmeister on a free transfer next summer.
Die Roten wanted to add more depth in the midfield by signing Laimer since the schedule for the ongoing campaign will be hectic due to World Cup in November. The Bavarian club does not have a viable alternative for Joshua Kimmich, so signing Laimer made a lot of sense. Moreover, the Austrian midfielder has previously worked with Nagelsmann, so his adaptation period would have been seamless.
The third bid from Bayern is likely been rejected a few days ago but reported in the penultimate week of the summer transfer window. Leipzig chiefs and the head coach have publicly insisted that Laimer is staying for next season, so a transfer late in the window is certainly ruled out.
Die Roten has started the season strongly with a central midfield pairing of Kimmich and Marcel Sabitzer. Leon Goretzka will be returning to action in September, while Ryan Gravenberch is getting slowly integrated into the team. Nagelsmann can certainly manage with four midfield options until the winter transfer window.
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Meanwhile, Bayern has been heavily linked with a move for Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona. Reports in Spain on Monday suggested that Die Roten is working on a loan deal for de Jong. However, Sky Sports in Germany and SportBild have denied the Bavarian club’s interest in the Dutch midfielder.