The Bundesliga transfer window isn’t closed yet, but the biggest moves are already done. And nobody spent bigger than Bayern Munich, who dropped a combined €100 million on two players while most of us were still watching the World Cup group stage.
Ismail Saibari arrived from PSV for €50 million, and the versatile Moroccan attacker was paying dividends almost immediately before an injury cut his tournament short. He put up three goals in Qatar and had 19 goals with nine assists for PSV last season. He can play as a No. 10, out wide, or as a striker. That kind of flexibility matters for Vincent Kompany’s squad, especially with the schedule Bayern faces across three competitions.
The other €50 million went to Eintracht Frankfurt for Nathaniel Brown. The 23-year-old German defender started at left-back for the national team during the World Cup and looked sharp, particularly in that 7-1 demolition of Curaçao in the opener. Brown is an attack-minded full-back with real technical ability, and with Alphonso Davies battling injuries again, that signing makes even more sense now than it did in December.
Newcastle Raids Hoffenheim Again
Bazoumana Touré is headed to the Premier League. Newcastle United triggered his €50 million release clause, which set a new club-record sale for Hoffenheim. The Ivory Coast winger arrived from Hammarby about 18 months ago and exploded last season with five goals and 12 assists. Hoffenheim will miss him badly. Newcastle gets an explosive, technically gifted wide player who’s still just 22.
Bayer Leverkusen Adds a Lyon Standout
The reigning double winners didn’t stand still. Leverkusen signed 21-year-old Moreira from Lyon for €29.5 million, and he’s one of the most exciting wingers to enter the league this summer. Eight goals and 11 assists in 37 appearances for Lyon last season, elite pace, strong dribbling. New coach Carles Martinez has a real weapon here.
But Leverkusen also lost a club legend. Alejandro Grimaldo left for Atlético Madrid at €22 million, and that one stings for Die Werkself fans. The left-back scored 30 goals and added 45 assists across 145 appearances for the club, including their double-winning 2023/24 campaign. The 30-year-old wanted to return to Spain. Leverkusen let him go, but they’d have preferred to keep him.
Hoffenheim’s Rebuild Starts with a Teenager
Hoffenheim beat out several bigger clubs to land Nathan De Cat from Anderlecht for €20 million. The central midfielder just turned 18 but already has 53 first-team appearances under his belt, with four goals and five assists. That’s a serious bet on potential.
Leipzig Snags Reitz from Gladbach
Rocco Reitz finally made the move to RB Leipzig from Borussia Mönchengladbach, a transfer that was basically a done deal months ago. Gladbach fans are furious, and you can understand why. Reitz is an energetic central midfielder who’ll compete with Assan Ouedraogo and Nicolas Seiwald for minutes in Leipzig’s midfield.
Dortmund Bolsters the Backline
Borussia Dortmund added 19-year-old center-back Gadou from RB Salzburg for €19.5 million. He’s tall, quick, and physically imposing. He’s expected to go straight into the starting lineup, especially with Nico Schlotterbeck sidelined to start the season.
Werder Bremen’s Michael Backhaus moved to SC Freiburg for €12 million, swapping one No. 1 job for another. He replaces Noah Atubolu, who wanted out. Backhaus was one of the few bright spots during a rough season for Werder, and now he gets European football with Freiburg, who qualified for the Conference League.
And the saga of Kenneth Eichhorn is finally over. Bayer Leverkusen signed the 16-year-old wonderkid from Hertha BSC for €9 million after a chase that involved half the big clubs in Europe. Eichhorn already made 19 first-team appearances for Hertha last season. That’s absurd for a kid his age. Leverkusen is betting he’s the real deal, and they might be right.
Leave a Comment