Thomas Tuchel came up with a surprise team selection for Bayern Munich against Werder Bremen on Friday. The German coach decided to start Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich in midfield despite preferring Konrad Laimer over Goretzka for all pre-season games. Tuchel insisted that he wanted more height in the midfield.
The former Borussia Dortmund coach has plenty of experience in the midfield and exuberance of young Ryan Gravenberch. However, Tuchel still believes that Die Roten lacks a natural number six or defensive midfielder in the squad. He has been reportedly pushing for a number six this summer, but it does look like he will have to be content with current options for this season.
According to Bild’s Christian Falk, Bayern has decided against signing a new number six this summer. The club chiefs made a final decision over the number six position during the transfer meeting earlier this week.
Tuchel and Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dressen were coy about the signing of one more midfielder while talking to DAZN before the game against Werder Bremen. Meanwhile, Kimmich has previously insisted that he is the number six in the squad despite Tuchel’s comments during the pre-season tour.
Dreesen on a potential new #6: "We have our transfer committee, that's well known. We're totally honest with each other in this transfer committee. I think we currently have a fantastic team with excellent individual players who can also work collectively.
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 18, 2023
Thomas (Tuchel) also…
Bayern were interested in signing Declan Rice to improve the number six options this summer. However, they were priced out of a move for Rice, while the English midfielder was eager to join Arsenal. Since missing out on Rice, Die Roten has been consistently linked with several midfielders in Europe.
Edson Alvarez was on Die Roten’s transfer shortlist, but he left Ajax to join West Ham since Bayern didn’t bid for him. They have also linked with an ambitious move for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, while PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Sanagare has also been subject to interest from the Bavarian.
With Harry Kane costing over €100 million, it does makes sense for Bayern to postpone the move for a holding midfielder. However, things could change if Ryan Gravenbech ends up leaving the club in the next two weeks. Liverpool has reportedly reignited their interest in the Dutch midfielder.
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Bayern is currently focussing on completing a deal for Daniel Peretz. The Israeli goalkeeper from Maccabi Tel Aviv will strengthen the goalkeeping department. In terms of departures, Inter Milan wants to sign Benjamin Pavard, while Josip Stanisic is closing on a season-long loan move to Bayer Leverkusen.