analysis
Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen are strengthening for the title fight with FC Bayern Munich. But the transfer efforts do not change the role of favorites.
The longing in the Bundesliga is great for a new champion. Bayern Munich has won the trophy ten times in a row. “I’ve said it a hundred times: Leipzig, Leverkusen, we – of course we would all like to see Bayern not win the championship“said BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke in the dpa interview, but also added:”But the German public cannot necessarily demand that of us.”
Lots of activity on the transfer market, but Bayern remain favourites
What one cannot accuse the Dortmunders of, however, is that they are trying their best, at least on the transfer market, to be able to push Bayern off the throne. But that also applies to Leipzig and Leverkusen mentioned by Watzke. But the Munich team also shows that they are one step ahead of the competition when it comes to player sales. And the question arises: What is the Bundesliga actually upgrading for?
“With these newcomers, Bayern Munich is the number one favorite. They may lose an exceptional player in Lewandowski, but gain two exceptional players in Mané and de Ligt“Said Watzke. But apparently that was far from the end.
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With Mathys Tel, the transfer of a talent is imminent, which will not only cost 28.5 million euros, but will above all be traded as the next Kylian Mbappé. Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann believes he is capable of “one of the best strikers“to become and”one day 40 goals a season” to shoot.
The acquisition of Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig is also in the pipeline, and the clubs are currently haggling over the transfer fee. But because Nagelsmann knows the Austrian from his RB past and has chosen him as a dream player, there should be little doubt that the game will be completed soon.
RB is picking up speed in the transfer market
In Leipzig, people were already annoyed because of the Munich team’s recurring interest in RB personnel. “I hope that Bayern will come up with other ideas and not always bring our players“said club boss Oliver Mintzlaff recently on ServusTV. Last season, the record champions already bought Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer.
But even after Laimer’s departure, Leipzig is making every effort to become a serious Bayern competitor in the coming season. With Xaver Schlager (VfL Wolfsburg) comes a player who will fit perfectly into the construct due to his RB past in Salzburg. According to consistent media reports, national player David Raum (TSG Hoffenheim) will be the next big transfer from Saxony. And certainly not the last.
Because in the past few days, the name Timo Werner has appeared again and again in the RB universe. Since moving from Leipzig to Chelsea, the striker has only played 56 Premier League games and scored ten goals. Now he is said to be longing for a change and even prefer a return. As a reminder: Werner said goodbye to England in 2020 with 28 goals this season.
Dortmund’s newcomers already have a lot of star potential
Dortmund was also active in the storm, signing Sebastien Haller from Ajax Amsterdam to succeed Erling Haaland, who moved to Manchester City. Haller will be out indefinitely due to a testicular tumor, but the roster still boasts plenty of quality new talent.
Niklas Süle came from Munich on a free transfer, Nico Schlotterbeck (SC Freiburg) also strengthened the defensive. Salih Özcan came thanks to an opt-out clause from 1. FC Köln and should finally bring toughness to the BVB game. And Karim Adeyemi (RB Salzburg) is intended as an offensive all-rounder for goals, assists and spectacular moments, as Jadon Sancho used to bring BVB.
Bayern, Leipzig, Dortmund – three teams whose fight for the German championship begins on the transfer market. With two challengers who strengthen their squads with national players with great potential and a top dog who is already bringing new superstars to the league and now wants to develop one of his own. And then there’s a fourth team that wants to have a say at the top, but celebrates other transfer successes.
Leverkusen shines with “internal transfers”
Bayer Leverkusen is always one of the most ambitious quartet and consequently completed the top 4 in the league in the past two seasons. With Adam Hlozek, however, only a highly talented striker came from the Czech Republic. And yet people in Leverkusen are talking about a successful summer. Because the biggest deals have already been successful – although some new players are to come.
Those responsible at Bayer have succeeded in extending the contracts with Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz until 2027. This means that the two most important offensive players are permanently tied to the club through so-called “internal transfers” and, according to their confessions, can concentrate fully on Leverkusen despite all external interest. Moussa Diaby, who recently verbally assured his whereabouts, does the same. Whether that’s enough to immediately attack Bayern is questionable. But that is exactly what should happen in the years to come.
Waiting for the big chance
And that’s exactly where the answer to the question of why these Bundesliga clubs are actually upgrading: so that the chance of a non-Bayern championship increases at least every year. “At some point it will crumble, at some point in the next few years it will collapse“Said Watzke on Deutschlandfunk. And that’s exactly when one of the three clubs wants to be there.