Football: Max Eberl's Summer Transfer Headaches: The Bayern Saga Unfolds in the USA
World Cup Frustrations with Eberl: Demands for Wishlists and Transfer Struggles - Displeasure of Eberl at the World Cup:
A rugby ball wouldn't go amiss right now, as Max Eberl navigates Bayern's choppy transfer waters.
Max Eberl, FC Bayern's sporting director, has a toothache-inducing job on his hands this summer. With the Club World Cup in full swing in the USA, he's tackling the turbulent transfer market back in Europe – particularly the stacked deck in the winger department.
Biertaquen and bean bags aside, Eberl's work is far from over for the upcoming season. People keep pestering him about potential departures or new gut-busting signings. Hey, when will the madness end?
Eberl, after the opening game in Cincinnati, snarks, "What's the date today? And how much longer is the transfer window open? Until September 1. A lot can still happen by then."
So, what's his to-do list?
Eberl remarks that it's part of the job. What irks him, though, are the " bugs in the system" or said fancy-schmancy word, "transfer rumors." This includes potentials like Kingsley Coman, Minjae Kim, Sacha Boey, Serge Gnabry, and Joao Palhinha. If any of them dipped, it'd make his job as a buyer a whole lot easier, thanks to their transfer fees and future salary savings.
So far, he's made two no-fee acquisitions for the upcoming season: Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen) and Tom Bischof (TSG Hoffenheim). Both are in Cincinnati cheering the team on. Conversely, there are three attackers on their way out: Alongside Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané, the once-hyped striker Mathys Tel (20) was sold permanently for around 35 million to Tottenham Hotspur in London after a loan.
Another winger is what he's clamoring for. First, Eberl owned up to it. Then sports director Christoph Freund said, "Our goal is to bolster our attack and bring in quality." Joshua Kimmich voiced a similar sentiment, earning a reprimand from Eberl: "Jo is on the pitch – my focus is off the pitch."
Transfer business could be settled on the pitch too. Sacha Boey, who is basically the third-choice right-back, showed his scoring chops – among other talents – in Bayern's 10-0 triumph over Auckland City. Kingsley Coman even netted twice during a 45-minute stint against an opponent that was light-years off their standard.
The Frenchman has been with Bayern since 2015. He still has another two years left on his contract. But the 29-year-old is notoriously injury-prone. Still, Eberl and coach Vincent Kompany are in Coman's corner, enthusiastically pushing for him when talking about potential players leaving the club. "King delivers the goods," declared the sporting director. "He's an outstanding player who had a stellar season last year, in my opinion. And he stayed healthy, which is crucial for King."
Coach Kompany generally steers clear of transfer talk at the World Cup. When pressed, though, about Coman specifically, he had sportsy things to say: "When we talk about his talent, it's essential to remember that he typically scores crucial goals. I know that folks sometimes focus only on sheer numbers – such as 20 season goals or 15 goals. But he nets important ones in Bayern Munich's storied history." His most notable goal? Scored the winner in the 2020 Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. "If he stays healthy, we have an elite winger," Kompany concluded. Bayern's shopping and swap list seems to be in perpetual flux.
Max Eberl* Football* Transfer Rumors* Transfer Window* America* Transfer Market* Europe* FC Bayern* Transfer Business* Sacha Boey* Joshua Kimmich* Vincent Kompany* Club World Cup* Cincinnati* Isar* Serge Gnabry* Bradley Barcola* Rafael Leão* Cody Gakpo* Kaoru Mitoma* Ritsu Doan* Wage Bill Concerns* Player Retentions
Enrichment Data (15%):
- Max Eberl temporarily left the Club World Cup camp in Florida to focus on pressing transfer business back in Munich and squad planning at Bayern's Säbener Straße training ground[1].
- Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain tops Bayern’s shortlist for a winger, but it remains uncertain whether the player or PSG would agree to a transfer[1].
- Potential winger targets also include Rafael Leão, Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma, and Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan[1].
- Bayern have successfully signed Tah and Tom Bischof on free transfers but continue to pursue an "outstanding player" to strengthen the squad[2].
- Bayern missed out on acquiring Florian Wirtz, who is now reportedly in talks with Liverpool, which adds to Eberl's pressure to secure a top-notch winger[2-4].
- Eberl faces pressure to deliver on transfers and squad improvements this summer, with his job performance being closely evaluated up to and beyond the next transfer window[4].
- Wage bill concerns and contract complexities, such as with Leroy Sané's previous contract and others, complicate squad planning[4].
- While Eberl's temporary absences from the training camp for transfer negotiations may affect the team's cohesion, he is expected to rejoin the squad in time for the upcoming match against Boca Juniors[1].
- Max Eberl's conversation with the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament might involve discussing the impact of transfer rumors on the football industry in Europe, especially during the ongoing Club World Cup in the USA.
- With potential departures of players like Kingsley Coman, Minjae Kim, Sacha Boey, Serge Gnabry, and Joao Palhinha looming, Eberl could seek assistance from these bodies to address wage bill concerns and contract complexities that might impact player retentions.
