With the revamped FIFA Club World Cup tournament scheduled to take place in the USA from 14 June to 13 July, the sport’s global governing body saw it fit to grant a special transfer window, ahead of the tournament, to the 32 participating teams. During the period 1 to 10 June 2025 all 32 teams will be allowed to sign new players.
Additionally, after completion of the group stage, from 27 June to 3 July, the remaining teams will be allowed to replace and add players to cope with expiring contracts during the tournament.
Without a doubt, the aforementioned transfer window concessions give a major advantage to the participating clubs over all other clubs. With that being the case, let’s examine what Bayern Munich needs to achieve during these concessionary periods and why.
Remedy the bare-bones state of the defense
Similar to how it started, the 2024/25 season has ended with several players unable to suit up for action, mainly in defense. With the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Kim Min-jae, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito all currently on the mend, the situation is undesirable to say the least. On the final matchday of the season, the situation was compounded even further when Eric Dier suffered a broken right hand against Hoffenheim. With the Englishman having already sealed a move to Monaco ahead of next season, it was highly unlikely that his new club would have wanted to risk his health at the Club World Cup with Bayern.
As things currently stand, Die Roten are unable to field a back-four that comprises fully healthy senior players. They have agreed a deal with Jonathan Tah to strengthen the defense, but the timing of his arrival is not yet decided. If the Bavarian giants succeed in acquiring Jonathan Tah from Leverkusen before the start of the Club World Cup, the bare-bones situation at the back would be alleviated, to some extent, as the 29-year-old German defender would then play alongside Josip Stanisic in the heart of the defense whilst being flanked by Konrad Laimer on the right and either Raphael Guerreiro or, the returning, Adam Aznou on the left.
Dayot Upamecano is expected to recover in time for the Club World, but it’s unlikely that he would be ready to give a full 90 minutes from the word go. With the French defender’s fitness still a concern and Bayern reportedly ready to listen to offers for Kim Min-jae, it’s quite likely that another defender would have to be acquired over the summer, even if Tah was to arrive in Bavaria in time for the Club World Cup.