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The reigning Bundesliga Champions are in unknown territory at the moment as being third in the league is not quite what they are used to all these years. There was a change in the managerial position at the start of the current campaign with Niko Kovac taking charge from Jupp Heynckes.
After a disappointing start to the season, Bayern have tried their best to crawl their way up the table. However, reports emerged of a fallout between the manager and one of their star player, James Rodriguez.
The Columbian signed on a two-year loan deal from Real Madrid, and after an impressive first season under Heynckes, things have fallen apart this campaign. Even the manager publicly stated that James is fighting for his future at the club.
It rung in alarm bells across Europe with clubs like Arsenal and Spurs expressing their interest to sign the midfielder. Along with Rodriguez, his midfield compatriot, Renato Sanchez also looked for his way out to get his career back on track after struggling to get game time at the home of the Bundesliga Champions.
Bayern was active till the last day of the transfer window, and there were few ins and outs around the Allianz Arena. Hence, without delaying further, let's look at how the transfer market panned out for Bayern Munich.
Transfers/Loans IN
#2 Chris Richards (Signed from FC Dallas)
Bayern Munich permanently signed Chris Richards on a four-and-a-half-year deal after being on loan with their U-19s since July.
Though the transfer fee is undisclosed, reports suggest it could be around $1.5 million, and a chance to move up to $2 million.
#1 Benjamin Pavard (Signed from VfB Stuttgart)
Bayern Munich signed Benjamin Pavard on a five-year-deal with the defender set to join the club at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
After the signing, Bayern Sporting director, Salihamidzic said -
He's a young player and a world champion. We're glad and proud to have gained such a player for FC Bayern,
The 22-year-old impressed at the World Cup with Bayern finally managing to get their man after mulling over it for quite some time.
Transfers/Loans OUT
#2 Franck Evina(On loan to Holstein Kiel)
Bayern Munich has confirmed that 18-year-old Franck Evina would go on loan to second division side Holstein Kiel for the next one-and-a-half years. The club is currently in the fifth position in league with a chance to get promoted to the Bundesliga next season.
Evina would be working under his former youth coach, Tim Walter, under whom he had success in the past. The Cameroonian is a part of the talented bunch of youngsters Bayern possess at the moment and would surely be a one to look out for in the future.
#1 Sandro Wagner(Sold to Tianjin Teda)
Sandro Wagner has signed for Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda, two years after signing for Bayern Munich.
The 31-year-old scored eight goals in the last campaign and won the Bundesliga title in the process. When asked about the transfer, Bayern Sporting director said -
Sandro Wagner came up to us and asked for a release from his contract. He has a very attractive offer from China and we have met his request.
Wagner has been offered a two-year deal at the Chiese club after a fee of €5 million was agreed.
Overall assessment of window (good/bad/average)
It was a pretty disappointing transfer window for Bayern Munich as they could not make any significant signings. It's believed that Bayern was in the market for just one player who is Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea.
The Bundesliga side made many approaches for the youngster, but Chelsea refused to give in and even countered their offer on several occasions. Hudson-Odoi looked for more game time and wanted to play in the Bundesliga which has become a developmental platform for the youngsters.
Bayern were confident of landing the 18-year-old with the player himself handing in a transfer request at Chelsea. However, Maurizio Sarri admired Callum and didn't want to let him leave in the middle of the season.
With players like Robben, Ribery going out at the end of the campaign, Hudson-Oodi would get sufficient game time if he moves to Allianz Arena in the summer.
