EURO 2024 season is in full swing in Germany, but so is Bayern Munich’s summer transfer activity. The window is just about to officially open and the Bavarians are maneuvering behind the scenes.
Bayern has already closed deals for Stuttgart defender Hiroki Itō (25) and Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise (22), and has been heavily linked to Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah (28) and Fulham destroyer João Palhinha (28). But that’s not all. Let’s take a quick round-up of all the latest news and rumors about transfer incomings.
Amadou Onana: an alternative emerges?
As Bayern and Fulham go back and forth over Palhinha’s evaluation, a younger Premier League talent could stand to benefit.
This report comes from The Liverpool Echo, via @iMiaSanMia:
Bayern are considering switching their attentions to Amadou Onana as they struggle to agree a price with Fulham for João Palhinha. A deal could be struck with Everton for Onana for a cheaper fee [than the £60m Fulham want for Palhinha] with both the player and Everton chiefs open to making the move.
Vincent Kompany is an admirer of his fellow Belgian, who already speaks German from his previous spell in the country with Hamburg, and is also over six years younger than Palhinha
[@CBeesleyEcho, @LivEchoEFC]
Xavi Simons may stay at RB Leipzig
Olise already headlines Bayern’s attacking acquisitions but they may not be done yet. However, Leipzig’s exciting Dutch star — who may be only part of Bayern’s Florian Wirtz transfer poker? — could be set to stay with his current club. From Sport Bild, via @iMiaSanMia:
@SPORTBILD have learned at the beginning of the week that Xavi Simons is leaning more towards staying at RB Leipzig than joining Bayern. But the hurdle for RBL is reaching an agreement with PSG. Leipzig would like to sign Xavi permanently. Paris won’t sell this summer (because a % of the fee would go to PSV), so an agreement has to be reached over a loan with option or obligation to buy. Leipzig would have to break their transfer record (€40m for Openda) to sign Simons. They’re unlikely to pay more than €60m. Should the negotiations between RBL and PSG fall through, then Bayern — who are financially stronger and would be able to pay more — would be back in the picture
[Robert Schreier, @SPORTBILD]
Mainz wonderkid Brajan Gruda to stay, too
Another potential attacking midfield alternative or complement to Wirtz is not moving this summer: Mainz’s 20-year-old Brajan Gruda.
“The decision — as of today — is that we want to go into the new season with Brajan, and I am almost certain that this will be the case!” Mainz sporting boss Christian Heidel said at the end of this week, as captured by Florian Plettenberg.
Plettenberg goes on to note that Bayern has Gruda on its shortlist for both this and next summer and “first talks” have already taken place. The youngster also seems to have Thomas Müller’s endorsement — the pair swapped jerseys and Müller gushed over the youngster’s future after a match between the clubs in May.
Breel Embolo talks Bayern links
Monaco forward Breel Embolo spoke about having been linked to Bayern under the previous sporting leadership — but did not reveal too much.
“I hope you can understand that I cannot say anything about it, out of respect for my club and out of respect for FC Bayern,” the former Gladbach man said in comments captured by Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg. “It’s a great club, of course…[former Gladbach executive] Max [Eberl] is there now. I know Leroy [Sané], Dayot [Upamecano], Leon [Goretzka], and Choupo [Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting] very well. So, it’s a club I watch on Saturdays or Sundays. But I don’t think about that and cannot and will not comment on it.”
Embolo was reportedly under consideration by ex-Bayern sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidžić.
Manuel Ugarte on the radar?
ESPN Uruguay reports that 23-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte is another up-and-coming talent that the Bavarians are scoping as an alternative to Palhinha:
Manuel Ugarte will leave PSG this summer. Manchester United is the club showing the most interest and willing to meet PSG’s demands. Bayern, Dortmund and Atlético Madrid are also in the mix for the player [@diegomunoz75, @ESPNUruguay]
Fifa.com journalist Abdellah Boulma notes that Bayern’s interest is “strong”, along with United and unnamed Serie A sides. Looks like the transfer stories are all over the map on this one.
Bayern sign a new academy talent
Now for something concrete: a new face for the FC Bayern campus! Cremonese youth star Guido Della Rovere is the latest attacking midfielder to be added to the pipeline of No. 10s at Säbener Straße. This is from transfers journalist Fabrizio Romano:
Bayern are set to complete deal for Italian talent Guido Della Rovere (2007) for their Academy.
Medical booked and story from April now confirmed, set to be signed. ⤵️
Max Eberl speaks
What does the man in charge of the Bayern sporting operation have to say about this? Max Eberl, director for sport, said it’s about the team’s character on the pitch more than targeting certain positions.
“It’s far too early to talk about concrete numbers in certain positions. We will push forward with squad planning with the aim of having a balanced squad at the end of the transfer period with which we are able to cope with all pressure and achieve all our goals,” Eberl said in comments captured by Sport Bild (via @iMiaSanMia). “When planning the squad and transfers, in addition to quality, we attach big importance to the energy, ambition, hunger and will of the players. When FC Bayern plays, you have to see that FC Bayern is on the pitch.”
There you have it. With outgoings a hot topic as well, it should be a very busy summer for Bayern fans.
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