Bayern scramble for solutions after Musiala blow | OneFootball

Bayern Munich’s search for attacking reinforcements is gathering pace as injuries and high-profile departures force a reassessment of their summer plans, according to FCBInside and Bavarian Football Works.

The sense of urgency has become acute following the confirmation that Jamal Musiala faces at least four months on the sidelines after fracturing his fibula and dislocating his ankle in the Club World Cup defeat to Paris Saint Germain. The 22-year-old’s absence, combined with the likely exits of Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller, Mathys Tel, and possibly Bryan Zaragoza, means Bayern are tasked with replenishing much more than just a single position. Sporting director Max Eberl admitted the injury is “a real shock for Jamal and for all of us… everyone knows how immensely important Jamal is for our game.”

Initial transfer priorities—such as a move for long-standing target Nico Williams—were quickly complicated when the winger extended his contract with Athletic Bilbao. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen commented to Sky Germany, “The ten-year contract is a statement. Williams is Basque, his brother plays there, and they have their own rules.” Bayern have now moved on from Williams, but alternatives have proven equally hard to secure. Liverpool have made Luis Díaz unavailable, PSG are not entertaining offers for Bradley Barcola, and negotiations for Nick Woltemade continue to stall over Stuttgart’s valuation. Kicker reports that Stuttgart’s asking price could reach €100 million, though observers expect any final agreement to settle closer to €65 million; Lothar Matthäus has urged Bayern to “go all-in” for the 23-year-old, noting he could fill Musiala’s central role “even if Stuttgart demand a lot of money.”

With the wing still seen as a key area to address, Bayern are evaluating Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, but would face competition and a massive fee. RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons is another name under consideration. There has been mixed messaging on interest in AC Milan’s Rafael Leão; Uli Hoeneß insisted, “he never was a topic for us,” though reports from Matteo Moretto suggest Bayern have kept him on their shortlist without making a formal offer.

A short-term solution could come from Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who, according to The Telegraph and FCBInside, is available on various terms, including a loan which could see United subsidize up to half his wages. Rashford’s versatility—competent on the left or centrally—along with familiarity with Harry Kane, presents an appealing, relatively low-risk option during this period of squad flux.

Internally, there is cautious optimism that academy products such as Paul Wanner or Tom Bischof might step up, but few at the club expect teenagers to fill the void left by Musiala alone. Meanwhile, Thomas Müller’s potential one-off return, as suggested by Matthäus, is only being discussed as a stopgap.

Another name emerging is 19-year-old Dutch midfielder Kees Smit, scouted during the U19 Euros, though several Premier League and European clubs are also tracking his progress, per Get Football News Netherlands.

With the domestic and European season looming, Bayern’s transfer market dilemma remains unsolved: multiple high-priority arrivals are needed, but the combination of limited options, high asking prices, and the unpredictable impact of Musiala’s injury has left the club’s strategy in persistent flux.

(Sources: FCBInside, Bavarian Football Works, Sky Germany, The Telegraph, Kicker, Get Football News Netherlands)

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