The search for a new right-back at Bayern Munich ended last week. Bayern completed a deal to sign French right-back Sacha Boey from Galatasaray. The French defender became Die Roten’s most expensive signing in a winter window as they agreed a fee worth €35 million (including add-ons) with Galatasaray.
Before signing Boey last week, Bayern were on the verge of not signing a right-back in January. However, serious injuries to Konrad Laimer and Joshua Kimmich forced Rekordmeister to act and get a right-back before the end of the window.
Boey was initially not the first-choice right-back for Die Roten. They initially explored a loan deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Nordi Mukiele. The Bavarian club held talks with PSG, but there was no breakthrough in negotiations for the former RB Leipzig defender.
After failure to sign Mukiele, Bayern decided to go all in for Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier. They had agreed personal terms with Trippier, but Newcastle United rejected two bids for the England international. While talking to BBC Newcastle, Trippier spoke about Bayern’s interest and considered it as a big compliment to his efforts in the Premier League over the last two years.
""It's over. I'm committed to the club, they've done a lot for me and I want to give back. At my age, I can only take Bayern's interest as a compliment. I'm here now and want to give everything for Newcastle. Unsettling? No, because I'm a professional. I'm experienced and try to block all the noise out.""Kieran Trippier
Bayern decided against making a third offer for Trippier since it was beyond their valuation of the player. The Bavarian club’s second bid was worth €15 million. The English club kept insisting that Trippier was not for sale. It does look like he will be staying at Newcastle United at least until the end of the season.
The Bavarian club hadn’t given up on the pursuit of Mukiele until last Wednesday, while Boey remained on their list of targets. Eventually, Bayern moved for Boey since there was no breakthrough in sight for the transfer of Mukiele.
Bayern have ended up signing the younger option in their list of right-backs. Even though signing Boey was an expensive option, he will be a better long-term signing for the club. The French defender’s best years are ahead of him, unlike Trippier. He will be competing with Noussair Mazraoui for the right-back spot in the starting XI. Boey is expected to make his debut against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.
Apart from Boey, Bayern have also strengthened the defense by signing Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur. The English defender has initially joined on a six-month deal with an option of extending the contract by a year. Dier made his debut for Bayern against Union Berlin last Wednesday.