Bayern Munich: Thomas Tuchel hopeful about transfers in January
The summer transfer window for Bayern Munich was eventful. They managed to strengthen the starting XI with the quality additions of Kim Min-jae and Harry Kane. The squad was further bolstered by the signings of Daniel Peretz, Konrad Laimer, and Raphael Guerreiro. Despite signing five players, Bayern left their squad short for the campaign due to late departures in the squad without getting replacements.
Benjamin Pavard and Ryan Gravenberch left Bayern in the last week of the transfer window. The Bavarian club tried to get replacements for both players, but indecisiveness from them saw them scrambling on the deadline day. They eventually saw deals collapsing due to different reasons.
Tuchel was visibly upset with the poor end to the transfer window. He publicly admitted that the squad was too thin to play in all three competitions. The German coach has been proven right. Injuries to the key player have left them short of options on the pitch. Tuchel doesn’t have the room to regularly make changes in the starting XI.
Bayern have been tight-lipped about transfers in the winter transfer window. However, Tuchel is hopeful about getting a few deals over the line in January. While talking to the media on Tuesday (via iMiaSanMia), Tuchel admitted that the club is working on transfers since they will lose players for weeks due to the Asian Cup and AFCON in January.
"“We’re working on it. We’re going to lose many players for several weeks in January because of international tournaments. We have our eyes and ears open. We’ll try to strengthen our team in January, even though it’s not easy.”"
Bouna Sarr, Noussair Mazraoui, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will be on international duty during January as their countries participate in AFCON. Meanwhile, Kim Min-jae will be playing for South Korea in the Asian Cup.
With more than four players away for several weeks, Tuchel will hope to get at least two additions in the winter transfer window. The German coach has been pushing for a defensive midfielder since summer. Die Roten came close to signing Joao Palhinha from Fulham on deadline day. Thomas Tuchel would definitely like to address this position in January.
The other signing should be a versatile defender, one who can play in central defense and right-back position. Die Roten needs a direct replacement for Benjamin Pavard in January. The arrival of a versatile defender will allow Tuchel to cover for the absences of Sarr, Mazraoui, and Kim Min-jae.
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The winter transfer window is a difficult period to get good players for a reasonable fee. It will be quite a challenge for Thomas Tuchel and Bayern to get players that will help them to achieve short-term and long-term goals. Die Roten will have to be more decisive than they were in the final 15 days of the summer transfer window.