FC Bayern is going on a big shopping spree in the summer. Also on the list is a new striker. But who is eligible? Our ranking shows possible candidates.
Munich – With a year's delay, FC Bayern Munich will probably try to replace their departed goalscorer Robert Lewandowski in the summer transfer window. After his move to FC Barcelona last year, the German record champions had initially assumed that they would be successful without a classic centre-forward.
But in the course of the 2022/23 season, the opposite turned out: in both the DFB Cup (against Freiburg) and the Champions League (against Manchester City), coach Thomas Tuchel's team was eliminated in the quarter-finals. The performances in the Bundesliga have also been a constant up and down. Now FCB are even threatened with a titleless season. On the penultimate matchday, FCB lost the top of the table to Borussia Dortmund.
One thing is certain: a new centre-forward is needed in the summer. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting performed well (17 goals in 29 competitive games) and extended his contract for another year until 2024, but the Cameroon international is now 34 years old and injury-prone. And whether the only 18-year-old Mathys Tel is already being considered as the number one striker is more than questionable. But who would even be eligible for FC Bayern? In our ranking, we shed light on possible candidates.
5th place: Rasmus Højlund (20) of Atalanta Bergamo
What speaks for him: The Danish international (five goals in four international matches) is only 20 years old and would probably be significantly cheaper than any other striker candidate. In his first season in Italy, the 1.91-metre-tall Højlund scored eight goals and set up three more in 30 appearances for Atalanta Bergamo.
What speaks against him: Højlund has not yet proven his class at the highest international level, and FCB already have an attacker in their own ranks who is of a similar age in Tel (18). The risk that the Dane does not strike immediately could speak against a transfer.
4th place: Dušan Vlahović (23) from Juventus
What speaks for him: Unlike Højlund, Vlahović has also shown his goal threat this season in the Champions League (one goal in five games) and Europa League (three goals in eight games). The 23-year-old Serb also scored ten times in 26 matches in Serie A. With his height of 1.90 metres, he would also fit into the requirements profile of FC Bayern, who are looking for a "storm edge". The Munich-based company is said to have already dared to make a first foray.
What speaks against him: Vlahović has a contract with Juventus until 2026 and currently has a market value of 75 million euros. The Italian record champions paid over 2022 million for the centre-forward in January 80. If the old lady agrees to a change at all, a similar amount would be due. In addition, there is the threat of well-known competition: According to media reports, Chelsea FC and Atlético Madrid are interested in Vlahović.
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My areaDušan Vlahović from Juventus. © IMAGO/Maurizio Borsari
3rd place: Harry Kane (29) from Tottenham Hotspur
What speaks for him: The 29-year-old could be looking for a new challenge in the summer after ten titleless seasons at Tottenham Hotspur. Why not at the most successful club in Germany? Kane has the most experience of all the candidates and also comes closest to the Reds' former "number nine", Robert Lewandowski, with his style of play and his nose for goals.
What speaks against him: For the captain of the English national football team (contract until 2024), Salihamidzic, Kahn & Co. would have to transfer at least a three-digit million amount to London. It is also not yet clear whether Kane wants to leave the Spurs or the island at all. Especially as he continues to chase Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League goal record (260 goals). Kane himself has scored 211 goals.
2nd place: Victor Osimhen (24) from SSC Napoli
What speaks for him: Osimhen is the top scorer in the Italian Serie A with 23 goals and won the championship with Napoli. In the Champions League, the 24-year-old scored five times in six games. The Nigerian knows the Bundesliga from his time at VfL Wolfsburg (2017-2019 with a stopover in Belgium), has a german-Cameroonian girlfriend and does not seem averse to a move to FCB.
What speaks against him: Napoli are apparently demanding €150 million for Osimhen, who is under contract there until 2025. A transfer fee that Bayern is guaranteed not to pay. Most recently, the striker has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and some English clubs (including Chelsea and Manchester United).
Victor Osimhen is on the hunt for goals for SSC Napoli. © Oliver Weiken/dpa
1st place: Randal Kolo Muani (24) from Eintracht Frankfurt
What speaks for him: Since an Osimhen signing is probably hardly financially feasible, Frankfurt's Kolo Muani seems to be FC Bayern's number one transfer target. In fact, according to some reports, an agreement has already been reached with the player. The 24-year-old is keen to go to Munich, which could make negotiations with Eintracht a little easier. In his first Bundesliga season, the French World Cup runner-up scored 31 goals and provided 14 assists in 13 appearances.
What speaks against him: As of now (24 May), the SBU will not let its centre-forward (contract until 2027) go below 100 million euros. Too much for a player whose market value is estimated at 65 million euros? PSG's alleged interest could make Kolo Muani even more expensive for FCB. The Frenchman would also have to adapt his style of play, would get less space against the usually rather low-lying opponents of the record champions than in Frankfurt. (sk)
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