Bayern Munich was not expected to have a big transfer window and the Bavarians lived up to that expectation.
The Reds did, however, partake in what we would classify as four mid-major moves (Yes! The Evansville basketball of football transfer seasons…who’s still with me?). Anyway, Bayern Munich did not delve into its bank account, but did make some very shrewd moves, so let’s quickly recap them:
Heading Out
- Leon Dajaku to Union Berlin (loan with option-to-buy): Dajaku is a really strong offensive talent with great speed, but man, does he have an awful lot of “cowboy” to his game. That unpredictability was also likely the impetus for Bayern Munich working with Union Berlin to find him a new home. Given Iron union’s proclivity to let it all hang out offensively, Dajaku will fit right in with that crew and could get a chance to showcase his fantastic skills. All that said, if he proves he can be any type of asset to Union Berlin, we have likely seen the last of Dajaku wearing Bayern Munich’s particular shade of red.
Grade: A
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- Chris Richards to Hoffenheim (loan): This was a near-perfect move. Richards is ready for first-team football, but was stuck behind a bevy of world-class players in Bavaria. Given Hoffenheim’s banged up backline and the club’s track record of working with young loanees (Serge Gnabry and David Alaba), Richards should be given the opportunity to prove his mettle in the Bundesliga. Let’s be clear, Richards is in a very, very good place with an excellent opportunity ahead of him. I’d expect he seizes this moment like he has done throughout his life.
Grade: A+
- Joshua Zirkzee to Parma (loan with option-to-buy): This is yet another good move for Bayern Munich and its player. Zirkzee desperately needed first-team minutes, but was likely not going to get them at Bayern Munich or the other clubs who were reportedly interested in him (Everton, Juventus). The interesting part of this loan assignment is the “option-to-buy” clause, which is rumored to be €15 million. I think if you polled Bayern Munich’s front office, they’d secretly hope Zirkzee shows his talent in Italy over the next few months and encourages Parma to pull the trigger on buying the 19-year-old Dutchman.
Coming Back
- Sarpreet Singh back to Bayern Munich (loan termination): Singh was barely playing at FC Nürnberg and also reportedly had trouble fitting in with his new teammates. This was a loan move that was not working on-or-off the field. Singh will immediately join Bayern Munich II in 3. Liga and help the team’s depth and stability. There is reason to think that Singh might never become a regular in Bavaria with the first-team. Ideally, Singh would have asserted himself with The club and performed so well that playing him would have been a priority. That just did not happen. All that said, good luck to Singh and hopefully he gets his career back on track in a familiar setting.
Grade: B+
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