FC Bayern is facing a radical change in the summer. Although only two departures have been confirmed, many more could follow. The Munich team is entering a dangerous game on the transfer market.
Lucas Hernández (Paris Saint-Germain) and Daley Blind (FC Girona) go, Konrad Laimer (RB Leipzig) and Raphael Guerreiro (BVB) come. FC Bayern’s current transfer record is balanced.
But a look at the rumor mills of the European gazettes shows that the German record champions could face numerous other departures – and sometimes against their will. Potential newcomers, on the other hand, have so far been rare.
With Benjamin Pavard, Yann Sommer, Alphonso Davies, Sadio Mané, Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui, there are six professionals in the squad who are said to be dissatisfied or want to leave the club for sporting reasons. There is a big question mark over the future of the sextet.
Pavard already flirted publicly with a departure during the World Cup in winter, and he is said to have already submitted his change request to those responsible for his current employer. In Munich, the Frenchman is said to be dissatisfied with not being used enough in his desired position in central defence.
Davies also dissatisfied at Bayern?
Davies is also unhappy. The Canadian recently made it clear on the podcast “Say Less” that he would like to play further up the field. Davies was once retrained from attacking left winger to defender, “and now, three or four years later, I’m stuck”.
Statements that left club president Herbert Hainer cold. “Alphonso Davies has matured into Europe’s best defender with us. That’s an enormous achievement. He can’t feel that uncomfortable in the position,” he countered on “Bild”.
Although the people of Munich should not have the slightest interest in letting Davies go, attempts to extend the contract with the top performer beyond the summer of 2025 are said to have been unsuccessful so far.
Mazraoui and Gravenberch ready to take off again?
Mazraoui is third in the group of dissatisfied people. Coach Thomas Tuchel recently only relied on the Moroccan in emergency situations, who only came from Ajax Amsterdam in the summer. Saying goodbye three years before the end of his contract is now even an option, according to the “kicker”.
The same applies to Gravenberch. In the “Telegraaf” the 21-year-old had made it clear that he “didn’t want to experience another season with so few minutes of action”. If necessary, you have to think about a change, should the perspective not change for the better.
Hainer: “In my opinion, he is an incredibly talented player. That’s why we brought him in. He got more playing time at the end of the season.”
Sommer and Mané before leaving FC Bayern
Sommer also wants to leave FC Bayern. The Swiss does not want to be satisfied with the role as number two behind top dog Manuel Neuer. VfB Stuttgart and Inter Milan are considered interested parties.
However, it is still unclear whether the Munich team will let the keeper go. If Neuer’s comeback is delayed, it is quite conceivable that Sommer will not be given permission to switch – unless there is a clause in his contract.
A farewell to Mané is also considered likely. After a disappointing season, bosses are said to have told last summer’s king transfer he can leave the club.
FC Bayern focuses on Kane and Kim
Should these six players actually want to leave FC Bayern, there is an acute need for action on Säbener Straße. After all, forcing dissatisfied players to remain harbors a high potential for conflict. And FC Bayern simply cannot afford that after the messed up 2022/2023 season.
“The upheaval has only just taken place! Either they suddenly don’t fit into the system, are hardly allowed to play, should be loaned out or – like Mané – certainly have no future at Bayern,” criticized ex-professional Lothar Matthäus on “Sky”.
Meanwhile, a lot is focused – at least in the media – on poker around the desired striker Harry Kane. Min-Jae Kim comes from SSC Napoli to replace Hernández. In addition, Kyle Walker is traded by Manchester City – and then?
For this trio alone, FC Bayern would have to put more than 165 million euros on the table. However, no replacement has yet been found for the other gaps that may open up.
Lissy Beckonert