It has been an eventful summer transfer window for Bayern Munich. After a trophyless campaign, Bayern were eager to make radical changes to the squad. They started the window strongly by wrapping up deals for Hiroki Ito, Joao Palhinha, and Michael Olise before the start of the pre-season training.
Things went quiet on the transfer front after three signings as Uli Hoeness stressed on the need for departures to make space for new signings. Bayern found a breakthrough in pursuing big departures from the squad last weekend. Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui left Bayern to join Manchester United for a fee of €70 million, including bonuses.
The Bavarian club also received an injection to transfer funds after former striker Joshua Zirkzee left Bologna to join Manchester United. Die Roten had inserted a significant sell-on clause when Zirkzee left Bavaria to join Bologna two years ago. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s departure on free transfer helped Bayern save money on the wage bill for new signings.
The squad at Bayern is far from perfect. It could do with a couple of signings during the last two weeks of the transfer window. However, Max Eberl told the media on Thursday (via AZ) that Bayern have the squad ready for the season. There is a good possibility of Die Roten not making further signings in the next fortnight.
"If nothing extraordinary happens, we have the squad ready for the season."Max Eberl
Squad overhaul has not gone as planned for Bayern Munich
Bayern wanted to strengthen the attack by signing Désiré Doué from Rennes. However, the French winger preferred a move to Paris Saint-Germain over Bayern. The Bavarian club was also interested in Xavi Simons, but the Dutch attacking midfielder completed a loan move to RB Leipzig.
Bayern will not panic in the transfer market after missing out on Doué and Simons. They will wait for the right opportunity instead of buying someone for the sake of it. Die Roten remain interested in Jonathan Tah, but they do not want to sign the German defender for the fee Bayer Leverkusen want for him. Tah is the only realistic signing Die Roten can make during the final two weeks of the transfer window if Leverkusen lower their demands.
The record Bundesliga champions wanted to make several big changes in the squad. However, they have failed to shift senior players. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka were expected to leave in the midfield department, but both will play in Bavaria next season. Serge Gnabry was also on the list of departures. However, the German winger is not pursuing a move away from Munich since he is determined to get back to his best at Bayern next season. The club chiefs have to stick with these players for now, but their long-term future in Munich remains uncertain.