What should be Bayern Munich's transfer strategy in summer transfer window 2023?

The Bavarian giants are expected to strengthen a couple of positions across the pitch in the summer, after a disappointing season.

Bayern Munich are undergoing a difficult and underwhelming season by their lofty high standards, where they were expected to compete, if not win all three major available trophies this year, including the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB Pokal. They're currently lying in second place in the league standings on 59 points, and slipped to a 3-1 loss against seventh-placed Mainz, on 22nd April, who themselves are contending to be in Europe next year.

Under new coach Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich hoped to find immediate success in their short-term goals of qualifying past Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals and Freiburg in the DFB Pokal quarters. However, what ended up happening was opposite to the expectations of the upper management when they decided to remove Julian Nagelsmann from his post as Bayern Munich manager on 24th March, during the International break.

Despite winning the Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund in his first match, Thomas Tuchel saw his side lose 2-1 against Freiburg in the Cup and followed by 4-1 on aggregate to Manchester City. Adding to the low morale after such crucial defeats have led to a huge inquest into the poor performance of the Bayern board.

Alongside CEO Oliver Kahn, President Herbert Hainer, and Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic, coach Thomas Tuchel has identified two crucial areas which need to be strengthened in the summer for the Bavarians.

Strikers

A strong reliable striker or No.9 will be the priority target for Bayern in the summer. In addition to that, a physically strong & defensive minded holding midfielder (No.6) will also be a priroty for Bayern Munich. With the departure of all-time goal scoring great Robert Lewandowski last summer to Barcelona, Bayern Munich lost a key threat upfront who guaranteed them goals and results in big matches, ensuring consistency and success.

Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane was signed for 35m Euros to replace him, however, the Senegalese striker has failed to live up to the mark, being injured most of the season, being unable to replicate adequate goals scoring, and eventually not fitting into the fluid system upfront for Bayern under Julian Nagelsmann.

Here's taking a look at the possible targets for Bayern Munich in the summer:

Harry Kane

England captain and Spurs Harry Kane has become a top target to strengthen their attack this summer. The English striker comes with a huge reputation for being among the top strikers in European football. He's currently the all-time leading goalscorer in Tottenham Hotspur history and also the second leading scorer in the league behind Erling Haaland, with 24 goals. His ability to be a playmaker and link up with his teammates is also highly rated as Bayern will look to integrate the likes of Sane, Coman and Gnabry alongside him to ensure a fluid and formidable attack.

With under 12 months to his contract, Bayern will hope to persuade him to join them for a cut fee price, however, Kane's willingness to move to Munich (with the Premier League goal-scoring record in his sight) could be a deciding factor in his arrival.

Victor Osimhen

Now according to major media outlets, the Nigerian star forward could cost 150 million Euros in the summer for Bayern to lure him from Napoli in the summer. The Napoli forward is arguably the hottest striker in Europe(Serie A top scorer) not named Haaland this year and is on course to win the Serie A title with Napoli. He's scored 21 league goals this season and 5 in the Champions League.

The possibility of a physical, direct, aggressive forward of the profile of Osimhen is definitely of interest to Bayern with Thomas Tuchel being an admirer. However Bayern rarely spend over 100m on a transfer target and given the bidding war very likely amongst other top clubs such as Manchester United, and PSG, it'll be a difficult prospect to potentially convince Napoli to sell their most prized asset.

Randall Kolo Muani

The Eintracht Frankfurt striker is seen as the favourite to become the new Bayern No.9. On-ball agility, quick off-ball movement and goal-scoring instinct are particular qualities of the Frenchman, which Bayern would like to add to their goal-scoring department.

With his willingness to join Bayern, relatively easier in comparison to Kane and Osimhen and added the right age(24) and profile, all suits to being the favourite to join Bayern I'm the summer. Kolo Muani is the complete package in terms of a Bundesliga forward with 13 goals and 10 assists in the league this season, and Frankfurt would want €100 for him. However, there's a high likelihood that Bayern could negotiate and bring down the price, in the summer.

Central Defensive Midfielders

Another crucial area identified by the Bayern hierarchy is the defensive midfield position. Bayern has looked susceptible to counterattacks and would want to ensure more protection for their backline which looked vulnerable against Manchester City in the Champions League, with centre-back Upemecano prone to errors leading to goals. Also, the combination of Kimmich and Goretzka hasn't been the most optimal in controlling and affecting victories on a consistent basis.

Mateo Kovacic

The 28-year-old Croatian Midfielder has been identified by Thomas Tuchel as the ideal partner to start alongside Kimmich in Midfield next season. The partnership of Goretzka and Kimmich hasn't flourished as expected this season and the signing of Gravenberch last summer hasn't had the desired effect, he's been unable to find a place in Nagelsmann or Tuchel's sides so far.

According to the Kicker, the Croatian midfielder is no longer happy at Chelsea - might want to leave the club for Bayern in the summer. Kovačić was one of Thomas Tuchel's favourite players at Chelsea. His close control, positional discipline in midfield and press resistance would be key qualities which Bayern can add to their midfield if they end up getting him. In addition to his footballing qualities, Kovačić speaks German because he was born in Austria. He was already a target for former Bayern coach Niko Kovač in 2018, and Bayern might reignite their interest again.

Casemiro

The Manchester United midfielder is a strong candidate to be alongside Kimmich in Bayern Munich's midfield next year. According to the Kicker, Thomas Tuchel is a fan of Manchester United midfielder Casemiro and appreciates his qualities of being a purely defensive midfielder who prides himself in protecting his centre-backs by sitting right in front of them, in a holding midfield role.

This would allow Kimmich to have more of the ball and dictate play from deep in midfield and also move into open space to build attacks. Such tactical flexibility can only be afforded by signing an aggressive and versatile player such as the Brazilian. However, it'd be very difficult to persuade Manchester United to let him go summer after signing from Real Madrid and having played an important part in United's upheaval under Eric ten Hag.

Right Back

The right hand side of defence has been of concern for Bayern Munich as seen in the recent match against Manchester City where mistakes were committed leading to conceding goals. Right back Pavard has his contract running out and is yet to decide if he wants to continue. He has openly mentioned his preference to play as a centre-back in the past. Joao Cancelo might be an expensive option in the summer with his 70mpurchase option.

Axel Disasi

The Frenchman is a versatile player who can play across the backline and is comfortable in both as a centre back as well as a right back. Similar to the profile to Pavard, the Monaco based player would be an ideal long term candidate with only age being 24. According to Lequipe, many other clubs in the Premier League and PSG are interested in him so the price may rise upto €45m based on demand.