Bayern Munich’s uncertain future gives rivals hope

The chasers of Bayern Munich are licking their lips as the champions are encircled by what looks to become a whirlwind offseason. While the Bayern machine will push on for an 11th straight trophy no matter what transpires, this summer is huge.

So what do Bayern need? They are looking to add depth in defense to counter Borussia Dortmund who have made major upgrades with Niklas Süle and Nico Schlotterbeck. Julian Nagelsmann seems set on moving to a back 3 of Lucas Hernandez, Dayot Upamecano and Benjamin Pavard. This allows Alphonso Davies and newcomer Noussair Mazraoui to push further up and join those in the middle of the park.

Already with 2 of the best midfielders in the world in Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, in comes Ryan Gravenberch from Ajax whose long-awaited move seems imminent. Corentin Tolisso’s departure leaves Marcel Sabitzer with an even bigger role, but is he a lost cause or can Sabtizer turn his game around?

But what truly gives chasers hope is one name, and one name only. Robert Lewandowski. Hasan Salihamidžić & co. must come to terms that Lewandowski is done. Contract discussions with Serge Gnabry also couldn’t be much worse, as many are questioning whether 30-year-old Sadio Mané (€30 mil) with one year left on his contract is truly the right fit for the Bayern system.

So who will they target? On the defensive end expect Chris Richards, previously on loan at Hoffenheim to return and get a shot. Reports state that Bayern are also targeting Barcelona wonderkid Adam Aznou and Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa to prepare for the future on the left. Once Bayern can get over this asking price, look for Nagelsmann to bring in one of his own with €18 million RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer.

Stuttgart striker Saša Kalajdžić is leaning towards a Dortmund move, Benfica forward Darwin Núñez may head to England and Chelsea’s Timo Werner is expensive. Even Patrik Schick got that much harder to poach with his brand new Leverkusen contract. A replacement at the 9 is nearly an impossible task.

The internal battle materializing in Munich makes summer transfers difficult to predict. At least Müller, Sané and Coman are sticking around and oh, Bayern still have a guy named Manuel Neuer holding things down at the back. But big names will hit the exit door in the coming months. The chasers are coming, and they’re ready to pounce. Is this the year Bayern’s run comes to an end?

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