Bayern Munich hold talks with Steven Bergwijn
Ever since Kingsley Coman suffered a serious knee injury on Saturday against Augsburg, Bayern Munich have started looking for options in the transfer market to strengthen the attack. The first preference for Die Roten is to bring forward the signing of Bryan Zaragoza from Granada.
The Bavarian club had agreed a summer transfer deal with Granada for the Spanish winger. With Zaragoza now open to a winter transfer, Bayern are negotiating the additional compensation with the Spanish club. Apart from Zaragoza, Die Roten also touched base with another winger to explore a transfer.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, Bayern held talks with the agents of Ajax winger Steven Bergwijn. The 26-year-old forward can become a concrete option for Rekordmeister if a deal is not agreed with Granada for Zaragoza.
Ajax are reluctant to lose Bergwijn late in the transfer window. While talking to Sky Sports, Bergwijn’s agent, Nathan van Kooperen, confirmed contact from Bayern. However, there have been no negotiations between Ajax and Bayern for the Dutch winger.
""I can confirm that Bayern spoke to us and checked the situation of Steven. We have a good and serious relationship with Bayern. They have known him for many years. But a possible transfer depends on different things.""
- Nathan van Kooperen (Bergweijn's agent)
Bergwijn has been in fine form for Ajax this season, scoring eight goals across all competitions. He has also provided four assists in Eredivisie. The Dutch winger has regularly featured on the left flank, but he can also be used in a central role. Bringing Bergwijn in would mean Tuchel will regularly use Leroy Sane on the right flank.
Bayern probably explored a loan deal for Bergwijn, but Ajax may not entertain a loan deal. It makes no sense for Rekordmeister to sign another wide player permanently now unless it is Zaragoza since the Spaniard was bound to join the club in the summer. The Bavarian club continues to negotiate with Granada to find a solution for Zaragoza.
Coman is expected to be out for three months. The French winger may return to action at the end of the season. It is a big blow for Thomas Tuchel since Coman was in fine form and amongst the group of players that have cemented a place in Bayern’s strongest starting XI this season.
Apart from Coman, Serge Gnabry is the other senior forward who is on the sidelines due to injury. The German forward is expected to return by the end of February. If Bayern fails to get a forward before the end of the window, Tuchel will have to find solutions with the existing options. It will be intriguing to see what tactical changes Tuchel will make to tackle Coman’s absence.