Bayern Munich have officially confirmed the departure of Bryan Zaragoza to Espanyol Barcelona. The Spanish winger returns to La Liga on an initial season-long loan after failing to establish himself in Germany. Espanyol have confirmed the inclusion of a purchase option, while Transfermarkt reports that an €8m clause becomes mandatory should certain conditions be fulfilled. The 24-year-old could subsequently sign a long-term contract through 2032.
Bayern originally paid Granada approximately €13m for Zaragoza in 2024. The German champions have at least recouped some of that investment through a succession of temporary moves, with loan spells at Osasuna, Celta Vigo and Roma reportedly generating €3.25m before his latest departure. Zaragoza departs Munich having made only seven competitive appearances and accumulated 171 minutes without registering a goal or assist.
“Bryan has gained different experiences at his various stations over the past two years,” Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund noted in a club statement. “He should now continue his development in the familiar surroundings of La Liga.”
Bayern work through unwanted trio
The latest move represents the continuation of a process Bayern publicly began at the start of August. Get German Football News reported that Max Eberl had made clear João Palhinha, Sacha Boey and Zaragoza were all available for transfer. Vincent Kompany subsequently backed the club’s unusually transparent approach, arguing that players deserved to know clearly where they stood.
Zaragoza received perhaps the clearest signal of the three. While Palhinha and Boey were at least afforded substantial pre-season minutes, the Spaniard was excluded from Bayern’s Asia tour altogether.
GGFN’s 2026/27 Bayern Munich tactical preview consequently listed Zaragoza among the obvious losers from camp, noting that there was effectively no route back into Kompany’s attacking rotation. Zaragoza’s difficulties stretch back well beyond the current summer.
Thomas Tuchel initially gave the winter 2024 arrival seven senior appearances, but the subsequent appointment of Kompany and signing of Michael Olise dramatically reduced his prospects. Loans to Osasuna and Celta followed before Zaragoza moved to Roma midway through last season.
A potential permanent move to Italy then collapsed after knee problems limited his opportunities. Espanyol now represent another attempt to transform a temporary departure into a permanent solution.
Palhinha eventually returns to Portugal
Bayern have already successfully moved on another member of the unwanted trio. Palhinha initially appeared destined for Aston Villa after agreeing personal terms with the Premier League club. GGFN reported earlier this month that the proposed transfer collapsed because Bayern demanded a permanent deal worth approximately €30m while Villa only wanted another loan.
A permanent solution eventually arrived elsewhere. Benfica officially signed the 31-year-old on Wednesday for €14m plus up to €5m in bonuses, handing him a contract through June 2030. The move sends Palhinha back to Lisbon following a disappointing Bayern spell that began with his approximately €51m arrival from Fulham in 2024.
With Palhinha and Zaragoza now gone, Sacha Boey remains the unresolved member of Bayern’s original surplus trio.
Goretzka begins first adventure abroad
Another long-running Bayern departure story has also finally reached its conclusion. Leon Goretzka has joined Aston Villa on a free transfer after his Bayern contract expired at the end of June. The 31-year-old leaves German football for the first time following eight years in Munich, 312 competitive appearances, seven Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals and the 2020 Champions League triumph.
Goretzka had repeatedly fought his way back into Bayern’s plans despite spending several transfer windows as a potential sale candidate. Christoph Freund nevertheless made clear during the winter that his time in Munich would end once his contract expired.
The 73-cap Germany international had himself spoken openly about wanting to experience football abroad and suggested that his physical, box-to-box style might suit England. That opportunity has now arrived with reigning Europa League winners Aston Villa.
