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Now that European Champions Bayern Munich have officially unveiled Pep Guardiola as their new Head Coach, they will be looking to the transfer market to give him the kind of backing they intimated giving when they appointed him months ago. The club have a lot of money to spend, despite the £32m already sent to Borussia Dortmund for Mario Gotze. Coming off a dominant year, it’s not exactly a squad in need of major surgery, but there are a few areas that Guardiola and Sporting Director Matthias Sammer will want to make moves that can turn Bayern Munich in to the kind of dominating dynasty in Europe that hasn’t really happened since the 1970s. They won the then European Cup three times in a row then, and want to go even better now. It could be Bayern’s decade.
Here are five targets who help them in the immediate and long term future.
Robert Lewandowski (24) Forward, Borussia Dortmund
Scout Report
Lewandowski is the prime example of a modern forward. He combines good speed, strength and aerial leap with sublime technique, intelligence and quick thinking. He has scored goals on a very consistent basis in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League. He is ideal as a lone forward behind three creative midfielders because of the cleverness of his runs which come at different angles and speed and always gives the players behind him an option to pass to.
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Where does he fit at Bayern?
Gomez is a good finisher and Mandzukic is a high quality all rounder but neither are in Lewandowski’s league for overall class. He combines the best features of both players to make a truly world class forward.
How much?
Dortmund are insistent they won’t sell to Bayern but if they don’t, they’ll lose him to them next season for free anyway. Bayern had previously offered £30m but Dortmund may have backed themselves in to a corner where they have to take less.
Julian Draxler (19), Attacking midfield/wide forward, Schalke
Scout Report
Draxler is the next great German attacking midfielder. He is quick, tricky, clever and very productive in terms of scoring and making goals. The ideal modern threat in wide areas. He is a beautiful technician and strikes a very clean football. His combination of pace and directness under control is a very rare combination. A more elegant version of a young Franck Ribery.
Where does he fit at Bayern?
Ribery is 30 and Robben 29, so Bayern need to add youth to their attacking trident. They also want to become more German under Guardiola in the manner that Barcelona were a very Spanish team. Could line up with Gotze and Muller for the next decade of dominance.
How much?
Schalke have said they won’t sell, but they can’t turn down £20-25m for him.
Luis Suarez (26), Forward, Liverpool
Scout Report
On the field, Suarez is a constant menace and threat. He’s not massively quick or strong but what he does have is an ability to do everything at the same speed with the ball as without. His quick feet and low centre of gravity means he can duck through small spaces, which is of particular use in and around the penalty box. His decision making isn’t great although his preference for shooting is more prevalent at Liverpool, where he is surrounded by inferior players than when partnering Cavani with Uruguay.
Where does he fit?
It’s unlikely, but if Lewandowski agrees to go to Chelsea or Man United then Suarez will be first choice up front. He’s a nice technician and Guardiola may feel he can develop the rough edges. His high speed movement off the ball will give Gotze, Kroos and Schweinsteiger so many passing options.
How much? Liverpool want £50m
Matthias Ginter (19), Central defence/defensive midfield, Freiburg
Scout Report
Freiburg were a surprise success last season and Ginter was a stand out player. At 6’2?, he is a big and imposing physical presence but it is his ease in possession which really marks him out. Although he’s able to play in midfield, his long term position will be as a ball playing central defender. His positional instincts and inherent football intelligence is superior for his age and his leadership is exceptional.
Where does he fit at Bayern?
Boateng and Badstuber are good but not great defenders. Ginter has the talent to become the top German centre back in a few years and maybe one of the best in the world. Guardiola loves a ball playing central defender with a rugged one. Dante is rugged, Ginter is an elegant passer. Ideal.
How much?
Freiburg have sold cheaply this summer but might dig their heels in for £10-15m which Bayern ought to be prepared to play.
Daley Blind (23), Left back, Ajax
Scout Report
Blind takes after his father Danny. He’s very tough, very canny and strong. He is an excellent technician and is starting to pose an ever great threat in attacking areas of the field both with his precise passing and crossing. He’s more of a bulldozing left back than the lighting heeled David Alaba and also has some positional versatility, able to operate at centre back or even in defensive midfield if need. A real winner and has the potential and passion to be become one of the best in the world.
Where does he fit at Bayern?
David Alaba is one of the best left backs in the world so this is hardly a need signing. However, in the long term Alaba has spoken about moving in to his old position is midfield where he was a box to box energetic and incisive presence. He’s a new left back. Whether Alaba moves to midfield for Bayern or elsewhere is up in the air but they need to cover the option. Blind is one of the best young full backs in Europe and ideal physically for the Bundesliga.
How much? £8m would be fair.
