Bundesliga Transfer Window Closes with a Flurry of Action

We are living in strange times and those strange times were also in play during the final hours of the Bundesliga summer transfer window. More so than is usual, we have seen a flurry of last-minute action with a number of clubs bringing in players on the final day when normally their business would have been done and dusted long before.

Here we bring you the biggest comings and goings of a busier than usual deadline day in Germany.

Bayern Munich

Much like last season when Bayern left it late before bringing in Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Perisic and Alvaro Odriozola on loan they have moved to add some depth to their already stellar squad.

Completely out of left field came the loan signing (or rather re-signing) of Brazilian winger Douglas Costa from Juventus. The 30-year-old spent two seasons with the Bavarians before a €40 million transfer to Juventus. His return on a season-long loan will see him provide cover for Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman in the wide areas.

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Also joining as a bit of a surprise is Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, whose has been signed as a free agent after leaving Paris St. Germain. The 31-year-old forward has Bundesliga experience from his time at Hamburger SV, Mainz, and Schalke. Bayern also strengthened their defensive options by bringing in 28-year-old right back Bouna Sarr from Olympique Marseille after losing out on Sergino Dest. The former Metz fullback has cost the club €10 million. Going the other way, midfielder Michaël Cuisance has moved to Marseille on a season-long loan after his move to Leeds United in the Premier League broke down.

RB Leipzig

Die Roten Bullen have added Justin Kluivert to their roster with the Dutch youngster joining on an initial loan from Italian side Roma. The 21-year-old left winger and son of former Ajax and Milan striker Patrick Kluivert is currently valued at 20 million and Leipzig have an option to buy at the end of the season.

“We have tracked Justin Kluivert for a long time and are proud that he has decided to come here, and also that the transfer could be completed ahead of the deadline” sporting director Markus Krösche explained. “Justin ticks all of the boxes that we look for in a player and fits the footballing philosophy that we want to stand for on the pitch. Justin offers us more variety in attack for the intense season ahead.”

Bayer Leverkusen

It was more of a case of the one that got away for Bayer Leverkusen on deadline day. Monday afternoon saw the emergence of the story that the Werkself were in serious negotiations with Werder Bremen to sign Milot Rashica after his move to England looked to be off the cards.

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However, with just 45 minutes left before the transfer window closed the plug was pulled on the deal with the two clubs unable to agree on the terms for the eventual purchase price of the player. The 24-year-old winger nis set to stay at the Weser Stadion until the whole transfer circus surrounding him kicks off again in January.

Leverkusen did allow Greek defender Panagiotis Retsos to join French side St. Etienne on loan.

Hoffenheim

Having made an impressive start to the season, Hoffenheim added two interesting signings on deadline day with Sebastian Rudy returning to the club on loan from Schalke and Tottenham left wing back Ryan Sessegnon also coming in on loan.

Midfielder Rudy had a successful loan spell in Sinsheim last season and initially looked like he would be staying with the Königsblauen this season, but a second loan deal was worked out. Sessegnon is a talent but has found regular game time hard to come by at Spurs after they paid Fulham €27 million for him in the summer of 2019.

Hertha Berlin

All eyes were on Hertha on Monday to see what movement there would be and whether the club were prepared to splash any more of their cash on much-needed improvements. There was talk of Mario Götze (and as a free agent it could still happen), but in the end the club signed Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi on an initial loan and 23-year-old centre back Omar Alderete for €6.5 million from FC Basel.

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It is hard to see many Hertha fans being overly impressed with the incomings, with manager Michael Preetz unwilling to spend ‘silly money’ just because the window was closing. Dutch defender Karim Rekik was allowed to join Sevilla.

Werder Bremen

It was an interesting day in Bremen as there were two departures and a remainer. Davy Klaasen rejoined his former club Ajax for €11 million, but there was no replacement despite rumours linking the club with Marko Grujic. Meanwhile Johannes Eggestein went out on loan to LASK in Austria. The big news however was the failed departure of Milot Rashica meaning he will need to be reintegrated into the squad until January at least.

Elsewhere

Schalke have solved their right back problem with the loan signing of Kilian Ludewig from RB Salzburg, while VfB Stuttgart have loaned young Juventus u-23 talent Naouirou Ahamada to add depth to their central midfield. Arminia Bielefeld completed the loan signing of Hertha Berlin midfielder Arne Maier to bolster their squad. Köln reportedly failed in a late bid to sign Joshua Zirkzee on loan from Bayern.

About Mathew Burt 1058 Articles
Former writer at Goal.com and JustFootball, I've been doing my thing for Bundesliga Fanatic since 2015. A long-suffering Werder Bremen fan and disciple of the Germanic holy trinity...Bier. Wurst und Fußball