Bundesliga Transfer Takes for Days...
With the Bundesliga on hold for a while longer, the transfer whispers are starting to get a little louder and there are some big name players who could be on the verge of a move when we finally enter 2020 A.C (After Corona).
Acknowledging that mega-stars like Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, and David Alaba are all in heavy negotiations with Bayern Munich, the latest news on that trio seems to indicate that all three are likely to be back in Bavaria after a fair amount of haggling takes place. Of the three, Muller seems closest to a solution, while Alaba (pay, position) and Neuer (length of contract) might have some work to do with the demands they have.
Regardless, there are some very good players (great even!) who could be leaving the comfortable confines of Germany to play abroad.
Timo Werner
Rumored destinations: Liverpool, Bayern Munich
The RB Leipzig forward has 27 goals and 12 assists in 26 games this season and has silenced many of the doubters who previously questioned the 24-year-old's quality (except for Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan "Brazzo" Salihamidzic, who seems to be at odds with Bayern coach Hansi Flick over Werner). Funny enough, Werner's price tag is extremely reasonable in this time of reduced budgets and the Germany international should be at the top of any team's list that needs a scorer.
What is scary to think about, is exactly how dangerous Werner would look at the top of Liverpool's attack or if Werner was part of a front four for Bayern that included the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, and Serge Gnabry.
Werner also allegedly has important fans in Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Flick. Werner's pace and nose for the goal make him a versatile option who can play central as a striker, secondary striker/attacking midfielder, or on the wing.
At this price, both Liverpool and Bayern Munich should be leaping to bring in the talented forward. Just think...the Bavarians passed up a chance at bringing him in last summer for €35M.
Erling Haaland
Rumored destinations: Real Madrid
Haaland has been an absolutely enigma for both RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund this season. It is clear that Haaland is a special type of scorer. Adept with both feet, extremely versatile in how he hurts you, and totally comfortable using both his speed or engaging in aerial battles with his 6-foot-3-inch frame, Haaland is looking like a new-age Lewandowski and a scorer that is on the cusp of taking over Europe.
As Manuel Veth notes in the tweet below, Haaland likely isn't going anywhere just yet, but pairing him with Jadon Sancho (if he sticks), Marco Reus, Julian Brandt, and Thorgan Hazard seems like an insanely dangerous (potential) scoring punch for Dortmund in 2020-2021. It's too early for Borussia Dortmund to sell off Haaland, but he'll surely be in the crosshairs of most big clubs soon enough.
Haaland has 40 goals and nine assists in 33 games across all competitions this season.
Jadon Sancho
Rumored destinations: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea
The 20-year-old Englishman is one of the top, young talents in Europe and puts Dortmund in a very odd position. Should it continue to try and build a Champions League contender for another season or should it cash in on Sancho's performance with Manchester United (allegedly) willing to pay top-euro for his services?
The thinking here is that Sancho is likely ready and willing to make a move and Dortmund's Champions League hopes for 2020-2021 will take a bit of a hit. Sancho has 17 goals and 19 assists in 35 games across all competitions this season.
Mario Gotze
Rumored destinations: Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke 04, Fiorentina, West Ham, Napoli, AC Milan, Hertha Berlin, Inter Milan, Everton
The 2014 World Cup hero has had some of the worst luck over the course of his career. After a long-running battle with health issues that were hard to diagnose, Gotze reformed himself last season as a viable and credible offensive threat. This season, however, Gotze has found himself in Lucien Favre's doghouse. More than anyone, Gotze needs a transfer to somewhere that he can get on the field. The 27-year-old still can be an effective player, but he should take his game to a smaller club or at least a club that has less talent on its roster. To this point, Gotze has been resistant to that.
While he seems to want to play abroad (aside China and MLS --- where he would be a star...hello Philadelphia Union!), but if he is serious about reviving his career, he should ensure he goes somewhere that he can be the "10" of choice and show the world the talent he was once known for still exists.
Gotze has just three goals and one assist in 19 games across all competitions this season.
Kai Havertz
Rumored destinations: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund
Realistically, any move for Havertz will come down to the price tag that Bayer Leverkusen holds on his head. With Hansi Flick a big admirer of Havertz, Bayern Munich seems to be the most logical destination for the young German, but it is also the place that might represent the hardest pathway to playing time.
A move to Bayern Munich (as noted here), is not a necessity for 2020-2021. In fact, you could argue that Leverkusen would be better served letting him have another season to build up his value --- especially given the expected decrease in spending in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Havertz has 10 goals and eight assists in 34 games across all competitions this season.
Corentin Tolisso
Rumored destinations: Inter Milan, Arsenal
Tolisso needs to get out of Munich and find a place to play. A move to Serie A, the Premier League, or even Ligue 1 all seem like decent options for the hard-luck midfielder. Sure, Tolisso has not yet reached the form he had prior to his devastating knee injury in 2019, but he still has great talent and will one day be a force again. It just won't happen in Bavaria where the midfield is stacked.
There is some talk that Inter Milan would seek to work out a deal with Bayern Munich that would include a swap of Perisic (plus cash) for Tolisso. That seems like a good option for everyone honestly if Tolisso would accept it.
Tolisso has three goals and five assists in 24 games across all competitions this season.
Yussuf Poulsen
Rumored destinations: Newcastle, Everton, West Ham
Poulsen seems to have fallen a bit out of favor under Julian Nagelsmann as the young coach seems to prefer Timo Werner and Patrik Schick as a striker tandem. Poulsen has good talent and the ability to be a starter at many clubs, but he needs to exhibit greater consistency and likely a fresh start for his career to get back on track. Poulsen has three goals and 11 assists in 29 games across all competitions this season.
Interestingly, West Ham has former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller on its roster and being able to field both Pulsen and Haller --- at the same time --- would certainly give the Hammers an interesting and potent look for other squads to defend.
Potentially losing Werner, Poulsen, and even Schick could be a killer for Leipzig.
Patrik Schick
Rumored destinations: Return from loan assignment to AS Roma
Schick has been a good fit in Leipzig's system under Nagelsmann, but the COVID-19 outbreak could be a detriment to Leipzig retaining the 24-year-old Czech, who has seven goals and three assists in 19 games across all competitions this season.
Angelino
Rumored destinations: Return from loan assignment to Manchester City
Angelino has been a fearless presence bombing up the sideline for Leipzig, but the 24-year-old (he looks like he's 34 somehow) Spaniard might not be able to stick around Germany given the financial climate. Angelino has one goal and fours assists in 21 games across all competitions this season.
Those are just a few of the names being bandied about in what will certainly be a fascinating transfer season. The craziness is just starting to begin, so buckle up for what will surely be a wild ride.
Big thanks to Manuel Veth for the insight and work he's doing for Transfermarkt and on Twitter.
