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By Christian Falk, Tobias Altschäffl
Sports director Christoph Freund (right) has been at Bayern Munich since September. The Austrian is presented with a challenge by coach Thomas Tuchel
Quelle: picture alliance/SvenSimon/Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON
The FC Bayern squad is too thin for Thomas Tuchel. He has recently held back from making public statements, but internally his opinion is clear: Sports director Christoph Freund is required. One Leverkusen star is particularly popular with the people of Munich.
Before his first transfer period as sports director at FC Bayern, Christoph Freund took a short break. The Austrian flew to New York between the years to clear his head again. Freund knows: The year 2024 will present him with major tasks on the transfer market. Implementing Thomas Tuchel’s shopping wishes this winter for the current season is a real challenge in itself. It will amount to a major transfer offensive in 2024.
The big question being discussed at the club is: How much is a short-term defender alternative worth? In extreme cases, the Munich team will have to do without Minjae Kim, who plays for South Korea at the Asian Cup in Qatar, until the end of the tournament on February 10th. However, it is doubted that former national coach Jürgen Klinsmann’s team will actually make it to the final. But even then Kim would be back in time for the Champions League first leg at Lazio on February 14th.
The Munich team would sign Tuchel’s dream player Ronald Araújo (24) immediately without hesitation. The FC Barcelona defender has a release clause in the high double-digit million range. But there is still no breakthrough for a winter transfer.
Tuchel’s simulation games for FC Bayern’s central defense
João Palhinha (28) is still hoping for a move to Munich. Talks about a transfer of the six-man from Fulham to the Isar have recently been put on hold. Also because Bavaria was aiming for a purchase of around 60 million euros for defense purposes.
The Araújo transfer fee could now be freed up for Palhinha. Fulham expects FC Bayern to make another push for their defensive midfielder soon. If the deal doesn’t work out again this winter, Bayern could rely on their other transfer target, Martín Zubimendi (24) from San Sebastián. Both professionals have an exit clause.
According to the specialist portal “transfermarkt.de”, Fulham’s Palhinha (right) has a market value of 60 million euros
Quelle: picture alliance/DPPI media/Malcolm Mackenzie
Araújo, Palhinha, Zubimendi – these three names are still at the top of the Munich shopping list. In front of the defensive players also discussed, such as Giorgio Scalvini (20/Atalanta Bergamo) and Clément Lenglet (28/Aston Villa) for central defense as well as Arnau Martínez (20/Girona), Lutsharel Geertruida (23/Feyenoord Rotterdam) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (25/Arsenal). ) as a right-back.
It’s not just for the winter market that names are discussed in the group of scouting teams, coaches and sports directors. Tuchel should have various ideas for central defense and keep his eyes open for reinforcements beyond the winter. The development of national player Jonathan Tah (27) from Bayer Leverkusen, whose contract expires in 2025, impressed the coach. Especially since an additional defender would offer more tactical options. A three-man chain is a serious option in Tuchel’s plans.
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Another name that is surprising is that it is on FC Bayern’s list of candidates: striker Serhou Guirassy (27) from VfB Stuttgart, who is chasing the leader of the Bundesliga top scorer list, Harry Kane (21 goals), with 17 goals. Due to his release clause of 17.5 million euros, the VfB attacker is being courted by many top clubs, especially from the Premier League, in the winter.
Guirassy’s move would be bitter for Tel
The fact that Guirassy plays for Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations (January 13th to February 11th) does not make him that attractive for a winter deal. If Guirassy stays in the second half of the season, Bayern could activate the release clause of 20 million euros in the summer and would thus have both top scorers in the Bundesliga in the squad. The transfer would be bitter for talented striker Mathys Tel (18). The Frenchman might then have to be loaned out. Many clubs have been interested in him in the past, including Tottenham and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Christoph Freund has until February 1st to fulfill the wishes that Tuchel gave him. He has already pulled off a surprise coup with offensive player Bryan Zaragoza (22/Granada). Freund seems to be very sure that he will be able to do the same defensively this winter.
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The cards will be reshuffled in the summer. Then Max Eberl, a new sports director, will probably also be at the negotiating table. Freund has already stated internally that he has no problem with a direct superior regarding transfer issues. Especially since there are also important discussions about new contracts.
Bayern have put themselves in a difficult negotiating position with Leroy Sané (27). At the end of the year, Freund sought a conversation with the in-form Bayern. Sané is said to have assured that he is interested in extending his contract (currently until 2025). Freund then contacted Sané’s management “Lian Sports”. Nothing has happened since then. Sané now wants to take his time until after the European Championships to make his decision. If the winger plays a strong tournament, that will attract interested parties. In this case, an extension would be more expensive for Bavaria.
The personal details of Joshua Kimmich (28/contract until 2025), Matthijs de Ligt (24/2027), Alphonso Davies (23/2025), Leon Goretzka (28/2026) and Serge Gnabry (28/2026) are also being examined internally . The new sports director should also deal with them. Eberl’s personnel could become official at the end of February. The supervisory board will meet on February 26, 2024 and will approve the appointment of the sports board.
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