Before the new season starts, things are bubbling in the kitchens of Bundesliga team’s recruitment offices. If an opportunity arises, millions of euros are put on the table, and it may be a busy table if numerous other teams are interested. It creates a competitive market, and one that other teams thrive in just as others struggle. So who have been the winners so far during the summer window?
The excitement is rising before the start of the Bundesliga 2024/25
The fans are already in the starting blocks and are excited about the first games on the first Bundesliga weekend. The fact that it’s that time again is shown by the movements on the betting market, because bookmakers and betting fans are already going through the statistics of the new transfers and the possible effects they will have on the new club. It’s not a shock to load up sites like Sunmaker and see Bayern sitting pretty as this season’s favourite. But they were favourites last year, and with Bayer Leverkusen starting as defending champions after holding onto Xabi Alonso as coach means Bayern won’t go through the season uncontested. The first game of the 1st Bundesliga will take place in Borussia Park on August 23rd. Then it will become clear whether the millions in transfer fees and purchases of new players were worth it.
Bayern are restructuring
After not winning a title last season, Bayern are undergoing some restructuring. This includes some new signings with big names. But players are also being passed on and exchanged.
This is how Munich landed the Japanese talent from VfB Stuttgart. Hiroki Ito, a defensive specialist, is coming to Bayern to bolster the defense. Bayern paid more than €23 million for the Japanese international. But that was still a bargain compared to the purchase of Michael Olise, who was bought from Crystal Palace for €53 million. He is followed by João Palhinha, who was bought from FC Fulham for €51 million. Loans, arrivals and departures, the entire squad is apparently being shaken up at Munich, as the transfer list shows. It’s been busy, and with Vicent Kompany at the helm, it remains to be seen what success they’ll have this season.
Bayer Leverkusen goes shopping to compete against Bayern Munich
Leverkusen did not let the summer pass idly by. Here too there were some changes, which certainly also have something to do with the departures. In contrast to Bayern, Leverkusen’s shopping spree was still quite cheap, with a total of €53 million (equal to a single Olise). As a new signing, fans will be able to welcome Frenchman Martin Terrier in the 2024/25 season. The 27-year-old is leaving Stade Rennes to try his luck in Germany. Aleix García comes from FC Girona, joining the team for a transfer fee of €18 million. Another Frenchman also comes from Stade Rennes: the 19-year-old Jeanuël Belocian will put on the Bayer Leverkusen jersey and try to help the team to another title.
New signings at VfB Stuttgart
They come and go at VfB Stuttgart. There are not only a lot of new signings, but many have also left the club. Above all, the loss of some key players such as Hiroki Ito, Serhou Guirassy, and Waldemar Anton will cause problems for the Swabians in the new season. It’s not a shock that when a ‘smaller’ team performs well the bigger teams plunder the successful squad.
While Ito is moving to Munich, Anton and Guirassy are moving to Borussia Dortmund.
The 26-year-old Ermedin Demirovic, who comes from FC Augsburg, and Jamie Leweling from Union Berlin can be considered interesting new signings. The new squad is filled out by Jeff Chabot from 1. FC Köln and Anthony Rouault from FC Toulouse.
Conclusion
The transfer market shows many numbers and statistics. Whether the players in the new environment are worth the many millions they cost will only become clear after the season kicks off. It will be exciting anyway, because everyone is expecting a repeat of the lively duel for the championship trophy like last season.
