Just a few days ago, FC Bayern made Konrad Laimer’s free transfer official. But the photo showing the long-time RB Leipzig midfielder signing the contract in Munich showed a tree that surprised some observers because it was completely bare. So was the obligation bagged many months ago? And if so: why was there this secrecy? Laimer has now given answers.
When FC Bayern made Konrad Laimer’s signing public at the end of the last few weeks, several weeks had passed in which the change of the Austrian international was more or less an open secret.
Only: Both the Munich and the RB bosses as well as Laimer himself did not look at the cards. The Leipzig sports director Max Eberl emphasized in both January and March that no decision had yet been made. But that was probably not the truth, as Laimer’s words now suggest.
Laimer signing in front of the leafless tree (screenshot fcbayern.com)
“There are so many detectives everywhere and it’s somehow clear … We don’t need to beat around the bush: the photo was of course taken sometime in the spring when we signed it,” Laimer said from a media round at the Austrian national team “Image” cited.
“All those involved finally agreed whether it was RB or Bayern, whether it was me, that we only want to publish it after the season. That’s it from the story again. Nobody wanted to be uneasy at the end of the season,” reasoned the 26-year-old and added: “In the end it worked very well. We won the cup, they became champions. Then it fits.”
FC Bayern: Laimer about the desired position
When his old and new teams met at the end of May, Laimer proved that despite signing early with the German record champions, he still had his full focus on Leipzig. The Red Bulls won 3-1 in Munich, Laimer even scored the equalizer after Munich had taken the lead.
“What should I have done? Should I miss? I don’t think a player will say: ‘Next year I’ll play for them, that’s why I don’t want to win’,” said Laimer about the scene in question, which Munich almost won the championship would have cost if Borussia Dortmund hadn’t only drawn against VfB Stuttgart on the last day of the game, against the “kicker”.
The midfielder has signed a contract with Munich until June 30, 2027. “For me there is nothing bigger than playing for Bayern. This is a club that always wants to achieve the highest goals, like me,” said the Austrian.
Laimer was a dream player from ex-coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was replaced by Thomas Tuchel in March. “You can’t plan anything in football anyway. I had six different coaches in Leipzig in six years,” said the 26-year-old. “I want to be on the pitch. If it’s at right back I don’t say no, if it’s as a striker I don’t say no either. I’m most comfortable in midfield but I can play other positions too.”