So far it has been quite quiet in this transfer period in the Bundesliga. But in the last few days many clubs want to strengthen themselves even more. Which is not so easy in winter, but possible.
Borussia Dortmund is a role model for some competitors in the Bundesliga these days. With six points and 7-0 goals, BVB started the new year perfectly – even though their opponents Darmstadt 98 and 1. FC Köln (both away) are the bottom of the league. One reason for the successful start: the winter transfers Ian Maatsen and Jadon Sancho. How much the two of them can shine in the long term is completely open – but they make it clear that new additions can be helpful in winter.
Most clubs are looking for reinforcements, but the task is much more demanding in the middle of the season than in the summer. Clubs are nowhere near as willing to give up players; their own budget has actually already been exhausted to build up the squad at the start of the season. So it’s the search for the cheap player for whom things aren’t going well at the current club, but who can be an asset for yourself.
Bayern sporting director Freund still has a lot of work ahead of him
The search can be lengthy and failures can be common when trying to poach a player. Especially at FC Bayern Munich, coach Thomas Tuchel’s openness makes it known how much he wants reinforcements. Currently this is a right-back. The “Holding Six”, which he had already vehemently called for in the summer, is currently said to be a little on the back burner.
“We all know which positions are being discussed again and again. We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks,” said FCB sports director Christoph Freund on the BR program “Blickpunkt Sport” on Sunday (January 21, 2024). Nordi Mukiele (Paris St. Germain) and Kieran Trippier are being traded at the back right, but according to consistent media reports, the Munich team has initially been rejected by Newcastle United with both a loan and a purchase offer.
Basically, Freund said it had to “fit for everyone involved”, “make sense and also be implementable”. And this is particularly difficult at FC Bayern, who are looking for elite players. And that’s why it often backfires: Joao Cancelo, Daley Blind and Alvaro Odriozola were big names who moved to Munich in recent winters but were unable to impress there. However, Bayern scored a direct hit some time ago: Alphonso Davies moved to the record champions in the 2018/19 season.
Only 15 winter deals have been bagged
Bayern have only managed one transfer with Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), and there could be more to come. He is one of only 15 players who have been able to convince the Bundesliga clubs to change clubs so far this winter (as of January 22, 2024). RB Leipzig invested the most, transferring 24 million euros to SSC Napoli for Eljif Elmas (only two short appearances so far).
In addition to BVB, there is another winter transfer winner at the beginning: Eintracht Frankfurt. The loan players Donny van de Beek (Manchester United) and Sasa Kalajdzic (Wolverhampton Wanderers) immediately secured a regular place and were involved in Frankfurt’s four-point start to the year. But that’s not the only reason why Eintracht has an exceptional position this winter – and could still implement big deals.
Frankfurt still has the money for Kolo Muani
Because while most clubs have little or no money available, SGE sports director Markus Krösche is on the transfer market with a well-filled wallet. On the last day of the summer window he sold Randal Kolo Muani to Paris St. Germain for 95 million euros, but was then no longer able to react. Now Krösche can and wants to reinvest part of this sum.
Randal Kolo Muani moved from Eintracht Frankfurt to Paris St. Germain in the summer.
“We want to do something more defensively and offensively,” announced the 43-year-old. With Kolo Muani, “we knew that night that the transfer window was closed, that we would no longer be able to get a replacement and that we would be missing Kolo’s goals and assists for half a year.” Now Frankfurt is looking for a player who will at least partially compensate for this loss. Hugo Ekitiké (PSG) is said to be the most promising candidate, while Aurèle Amenda from Young Boys Bern should strengthen the defense.
Leverkusen is also looking, Leipzig is not
Teams often react to a weak start to the year or short-term injuries. Bayer Leverkusen, for example, is apparently trying to find a replacement for Victor Boniface, who was injured in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations and will be out for some time. In addition, the club does not want to put the entire striker burden on Patrik Schick’s shoulders after his long break. According to consistent media reports, Borja Iglesias from Betis Sevilla is the man who should support him.
Leipzig, on the other hand, does not want to react to the events of the first few weeks of the year. Despite two defeats at the start, Rouven Schröder has declared the transfer efforts over. “It would be too easy for you to fall into this drawer if you don’t win the games,” said the RB sports director. But: Until February 1st, this drawer will certainly be used several times in the Bundesliga.