It is now five years after the legendary sextuple season of 2019/20. Bayern Munich has tried their best to replicate that once-in-a-lifetime feat, but the results have turned out generally disappointing. Die Roten only managed one Champions League semifinal and were eliminated in the last 8 four times.
The domestic competitions were not any more productive either. Bayern never won another DFB-Pokal. But the depths of despair were undoubtedly losing the Bundesliga monopoly in the 2023/24 season. Many fans blamed the board for their poor actions, including paying heavily to extend underperforming players, as well as pouring ill-advised big money into the transfer windows. Over €600 million was spent in the last five years, but not only did it fail to elevate the club, but it also further emphasized its flaws. Let's revisit every major arrival at the Allianz Arena since the 2020/21 season and regrade them based on performance and contributions to the club.
2020/21: €66 million spent - inSane or not inSane?
Leroy Sane (Manchester City) - €49 million: 6/10
If anyone looks at Sane's numbers at Bayern, they would think this is a fine transfer. Bayern brought in Sane with expectations that the former Schalke 04 academy product would be the new face on the wings after the Robben-Ribery era. Leroy Sane has a great locker room presence and was loved by teammates. However, the fans were severely let down by his inconsistency on the pitch. There were flashes here and there but he never seemed to be able to replicate them on a weekly basis. The German is anticipated to be on his way out in this summer window.
Marc Roca (Espanyol) - €9 million: 4/10
Roca was not able to show anything for Bayern. The Spanish midfielder only featured in 24 matches overall for the Bavarian giant. He is an okay player, but not Bayern quality. At the very least, Roca made Bayern a little profit on his departure.
Bouna Sarr (Marseille) - €8 million: 3/10
This is the epitome of a terrible transfer. Bouna Sarr was never expected to have a big role at the club, but he should never have been at the Allianz Arena in the first place. He managed to be at Bayern for four years and played a handful of meaningless games throughout the years. Sarr is still without a club since being released last summer.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (Paris Saint-Germain) - free transfer: 7/10
Mr. Choupo is easily the best signing of this window. Joining on a free transfer, he became a reliable backup option in the number nine position. Choupo-Moting always answered the call, like against PSG in the 2020/21 quarterfinals, despite the eventual elimination. The Cameroonian's best season for Bayern was 2022/23 when he bagged 10 goals in the Bundesliga in 19 games. That is not to mention his role as a locker-room influencer and motivator!
Alexander Nubel (Schalke 04) - free transfer: 4/10
One of the biggest "when's and what if's" transfers in the past years. Nubel was expected to be Neuer's heir to the position between the sticks. Yet, he was never given a proper chance at Bayern. Now at 28, his opportunity seems to have slammed shut at the Allianz Arena.
Tanguy Nianzou (Paris Saint-Germain) - free transfer: 5/10
The French center-back was brought in as a future prospect for the first team. He was decent when given the chance when the club faced injury crises. Nianzou was sold for great profit to Sevilla.