Bayern Munich have stepped up their transfer activity after announcing the appointment of Vincent Kompany as the new head coach. The Bavarian club is set to strengthen the defense with their first signing of the summer.
According to Bild and Sky Sports, Bayern are close to completing a move for VfB Stuttgart’s Hiroki Ito. Die Roten will activate the release clause in Ito’s contract, which is worth €30 million. The Japanese defender has already agreed personal terms with Rekordmeister. He will sign a four-year deal once the release clause is activated.
Hiroki Ito made 25 appearances for Stuttgart last season. He was one of the best center-backs in the Bundesliga last season. The left-footed center-back helped Stuttgart finish second in the league and clinch Champions League qualification for the next campaign.
It is a shrewd deal for Bayern as they look to plug holes in their leaky defense. Ito will hit the ground running for Die Roten since he is already accustomed to the Bundesliga.
🚨🔴 Hiroki Itō to Bayern, here we go! Agreement in place with the player on five year contract, next step medical tests.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 12, 2024
Bayern trigger €30m release clause from Stuttgart for 25 year old Japanese defender.
Bayern also remain in talks for Jonathan Tah. pic.twitter.com/yFps2k2GEj
Bayern continue to work on a deal for Jonathan Tah
Despite signing Ito, Bayern remain interested in signing Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen. The Bavarian club has already agreed personal terms with Tah. They have opened negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen. Die Roten want to pay no more than €25 million for the German defender since he has entered the final year of his contract.
As per Sky Sports, Bayern want to offload two senior defenders to make space for the arrivals of Hiroki Ito and Tah. The Bavarian club is ready to listen to offers for Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano. The French defender is ready to explore a transfer away from Munich after a difficult second half of the season.
Meanwhile, Bayern want to cash in on De Ligt due to his salary and injury problems. The Dutch defender played consistently during Ruckrunde, but he is currently earning more than €15 million per year. Considering De Ligt has been Bayern’s best defender during the last two years, it is a bold move from the club to sell him.
The Bavarian club is also working on a deal for Fulham Joao Palhinha. The Portuguese midfielder is Die Roten’s top target to strengthen the midfield. Bayern already had a bid rejected, but they are expected to make an improved offer sooner rather than later. Rekordmeister also want to sign Xavi Simons from Paris Saint-Germain to strengthen the attack.