As we enter the final week of the summer transfer window, we’ll bring you all the confirmed deals and strong rumours here as they happen. With the window due to close on 1st September at 18:00, there is still plenty of time for Bundesliga clubs to strengthen their squads, but also plenty of time for (Premier League) clubs to plunder their players.
01/09
Milan snap up Aster Vranckx from Wolfsburg
After signing Malick Thiaw from Schalke, Milan have returned to the Bundesliga to sign Belgian midfielder Aster Vranckx on a one-year loan. The Serie A side will have the option to sign the player permanently for €12 million. The 19-year-old only joined the Wolves last year from Mechelen, but has seen his chances limited under Nico Kovac.
Leipzig sign defender Diallo from PSG
RB Leipzig have confirmed the signing of defender Abdou Diallo on an initial season-long loan from Paris St Germain and have reportedly secured an option to buy for a fee of around €20 million. Diallo arrives with Bundesliga experience from his time at both Mainz and Dortmund. The 26-year-old moved to Ligue 1 with the Parisian giants in 2019 and made 60 appearances.
“I know RB Leipzig and the playing philosophy of the club well from games against them with Mainz, Dortmund and PSG” Diallo revealed today. “I am looking forward to becoming a part of an already strong team and now being able to run out at the Red Bull Arena in a RBL shirt. It is nice to be back in the Bundesliga. RB Leipzig has big ambitions and a lot of potential – a great challenge and an exciting season lie ahead of both me and us.”
Guirassy to replace Kalajdzic at Stuttgart
Former Köln striker Serhou Guirassy has been signed by VfL Stuttgart to replace to outgoing Sasa Kalajdzic. The 26-year-old joins from Rennes on an initial loan, but the Swabians do have the option to make the deal permanent. “Serhou has proven his quality both in domestic and European competition, and has gained valuable experience in a variety of leagues and competitions” explained sporting director Sven Mislintat. “We’re convinced he can quickly become an important player for us. We’re pleased that Serhou will don the Stuttgart jersey and would like to welcome him warmly to VfB.”
Weigl returns to the Bundesliga
After two years away playing for Benfica in Portugal, 26-year-old midfielder Julian Weigl has returned to Germany securing an initial loan move to Borussia Mönchengladbach. The Foals have reportedly secured an option to buy at the end of the season for a fee of €15 million.
“Julian is a very strong and assured player,” sporting director Roland Virkus said about the midfielder, who has six caps for Germany. “He brings a lot of Bundesliga experience and footballing quality with him, and he will certainly be able to help our team right away.”
31/08
Augsburg beat Stuttgart to Berisha signing
Despite being heavily linked with a move to Stuttgart to replace the departed Sasa Kalajdzic, it is FC Augsburg who have won the race to striker Mergim Berisha from Turkish side Fenerbahce. The 24-year-old German forward joins the Fuggerstadter on an initial loan with an option to buy.
30/08
Ngoumou completes move to Gladbach
After reporting earlier interest, Borussia Mönchengladbach have now completed the €8 million signing of 22-year-old Toulouse attacker Nathan Ngoumou. “Nathan is a young and talented developmental prospect,” BMG sporting director Rolan Virkus noted at the unveiling, “With his dynamism and speed, he brings important elements to our game. That’s why we are very pleased that he has decided to move to us.”
Manchester City emerge as surprise Akanji suitors
Reports from England claim that negotiations are at an advanced stage for Manchester City to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji for €17.5 million. The 27-year-old Swiss centreback is in his final year of contract and hasn’t featured at all for Dortmund this season with a move away from the club seemingly a foregone conclusion.
Juventus have been linked all summer, but now the Premier League champions have emerged as a surprise potential buyer.
Joshua Zirkzee departs Bayern for Bologna
Bayern Munich’s 21-year-old forward Joshua Zirkzee has completed a move to Italian side Bologna for a reported fee of €8.5m. Bayern have however inserted a number of clauses that mean he may well be back at the Allianz Arena one day. The Bavarians will receive a 50% share of any future fee that Bologna receive, whilst retaining an option to match any accepted bid in the future. Hasan Salihamidzic has also secured a buy-back option, reported to be up to €25m.
Hudson-Odoi completes Leverkusen loan
Bayer Leverkusen have today officially announced the arrival of Chelsea attacker Callum Hudson-Odoi on a season-long loan. The 21-year-old will provide more options for Gerardo Seoane as he looks to turn the Werkself’s poor start to the season around.
Max Eberl to become Sporting Director at RB Leipzig
Not a player transfer, but still huge news in terms of Bundesliga business. Former Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl is set to take over the vacant post at RB Leipzig in December. Having overseen the successful development of the Foals for many years, he stepped back from the role last January citing mental exhaustion in his resignation. A year later having travelled extensively and had numerous chats with Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff, he looks set to return to wheeling and dealing in the Bundesliga.
Thiaw and Ehizibue off to Serie A
Schalke defender Malick Thiaw has completed his €7 million move to Milan. The 21-year-old has passed his medical in Italy and has has signed a deal with the Rossoneri lasting until 30 June 2027. Also heading to Serie A is 1FC Köln defender Kingsley Ehizibue, who has joined Udinese for around €1.5 million on a four year deal.
29/08
Laimer emerges as Liverpool midfield target
Having been earlier linked with a move to Bayern Munich, Liverpool are now being reported as interested in RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer. With Jurgen Klopp’s Reds missing Thiago, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain through injury, a midfield arrival before the close of the transfer window is on the cards.
The 25-year-old is in the last year of his contract at the Red Bull Arena and could be snapped up for a reported €28 million.
Striker N’Goumou on Gladbach radar
Borussia Mönchengladbach are close to signing 22-year-old French attacker Nathan N’Goumou from Toulouse according to Sky Germany. The right-sided forward was left out of the weekend squad to face Nantes ahead of a medical in the Rhineland on Monday. It reported Gladbach are going to pay in the region of €8 million. Since the departure of Breel Embolo the club have been looking to strengthen their forward options and had previously been linked with Brest’s Frank Honorat.
28/08
Eintracht Frankfurt to lose Kamada?
It is the news that all Eintracht Frankfurt fans were dreading. After the good news that Kevin Trapp is staying comes the devastating news that Japanese attacker Daichi Kamada is set to leave. Reports from Germany claim the 26-year-old has agreed a contract with Benfica, although Kicker claim the Adler remain hopeful they can keep their key offensive player.
Schalke’s Thiaw set for Milan
After a move couldn’t be agreed last winter, both WAZ and transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio agree that Schalke’s 21-year-old defender Malick Thiaw is set to join Milan in the coming days. He should be in Milan on Monday for a medical after playing against Union Berlin in a 6-1 defeat yesterday. The Königsblauen will look to get around €10 million for the centre back although his value may have dropped on the back of his display yesterday!!
Kalajdzic left out of Stuttgart squad ahead of move
The imminent departure of 25-year-old VfB Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic looks closer than ever after the player was left out of the matchday squad to face 1FC Köln on Sunday at the player’s request. A move to the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers is on the cards with the final transfer fee the only sticking point with the Swabians demanding €25 million for the Austrian forward.
27/08
Leicester looking at Akanji to replace Fofana
With it becoming all the more likely that Chelsea will succeed in their pursuit of Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana, the Foxes have turned their attention to signing a replacement. Reports from England claim that Borussia Dortmund’s out-of-favour Swiss centre back Manuel Akanji could a target for a loan move.
Akanji has been linked with a move to Italy, but as yet there have been no firm bids for the 27-year-old. Leicester did actually make moves to sign Akanji in 2020 only to sign Fofana from St. Etienne. Could they be back in for him two years down the line?
Bayern’s Vidovic attracting Gladbach interest
Bild and Kicker are both reporting that Borussia Mönchengladbach have enquired about Bayern’s 18-year-old attacking midfielder Gabriel Vidovic. With the youngster set for a loan spell, many clubs are reportedly interested including the Foals. The sticking point at the moment is Gladbach’s insistence on an option to buy- something won’t countenance as they see him in their long-term plans. His contract at the Allianz Arena runs to 2025.
Sørloth to return to Sociedad?
The long-running saga as to where RB Leipzig are going to offload striker Alexander Sørloth may be nearing a conclusion with the Leipziger Volkszeitung reporting that the Norwegian striker is set to re-join Real Sociedad in La Liga. He spent last season on loan at the Spanish club scoring eight goals in 44 appearances. Now, having sold Alexander Isak to Newcastle, the San Sebastian club are looking to strengthen their forward line.
26/08
Leverkusen one of three clubs chasing Marcelo
Reports from Italy are claiming that Bayer Leverkusen are one of three teams looking to sign Brazilian legend Marcelo, who left Real Madrid in the summer after seeing them lift the Champions League. The 34-year-old fullback is a free agent, but Bayer have competition from French side Nice and Italian club Monza. In a 15-year spell with Real he made 546 appearances, won La Liga six times and lifted the Champions League on four occasions.
Dortmund linked with Man City Youngster
Reports from England claim that Borussia Dortmund are keen on securing the services of highly-rated Manchester City youngster Cole Palmer on a season-long loan. The England Under-21 star, who can play on the wings or as a no.10, is a favourite of Pep Guardiola and has already made the breakthrough into the first-team squad. However a lack of regular game time due to the immense quantity of talent in front of him may lead to a loan.
After the successes of Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, could Palmer be the next Premier League talent to use Borussia Dortmund as a springboard in their career?
25/08
Hertha Chasing Uruguayan defender Rogel
Sky are reporting that Hertha Berlin sporting director Fredi Bobic has been in Argentina in an attempt to secure a deal for Estudiantes centre back Agustín Rogel. The €4.5 million rated defender is a free agent next January and would help bolster Sandro Schwarz’s options at the back. The 24-year-old moved to Europe in 2018 with Russian side Krylia Sovetov before a spell in France with Toulouse.
Kevin Trapp commits to Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt fans can breathe a sigh of relief with the news that goalkeeper Kevin Trapp will not be moving to Manchester United. After reports that the Premier League club were enticing him with a lucrative contract to provide competition for David de Gea, Trapp has revealed he is staying with the Adler.
“It is true that there is a written offer. Manchester is a huge club, and I hope everyone can understand that I would consider such an offer,” Trapp stated on Instagram. “But yesterday I told the officials of both clubs that I have decided to stay at Eintracht.”
24/08
RB Leipzig join race for Chelsea’s Chalobah
With Chelsea signing players left, right and centre and with a potential £70+ million move for Wesley Fofana in the offing, the prospects for youngster Trevoh Chalobah look slim this season. According to the Evening Standard, RB Leipzig have entered the race to sign him on loan but face competition from Roma, Inter and Tottenham for the 23-year-old.
Alexander Sørloth linked with Mönchengladbach
Sky Germany are reporting that RB Leipzig are looking to offload striker Alexander Sørloth to Gladbach, although the Foals cannot afford a permanent deal right now. Leipzig have proposed a loan with a compulsion to buy and are waiting on Borussia’s response. The Norwegian striker has been linked with Köln and clubs in Turkey, but the Borussia Park would be his preferred destination.
Julian Weigl closing in on Bundesliga return
Borussia Mönchengladbach are reportedly set to loan German midfielder Julian Weigl from Benfica. The 26-year-old joined the Portuguese giants for €20 million from Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, but now seems set for a return to his homeland. Coach Roger Schmidt has confirmed that he is open to Weigl moving on loan to the Fohlen. “There may be an opportunity for him to change clubs. At the end of the day, that’s his decision” he told Prime in Portugal. “Now we will see what happens in the next two weeks. That’s the situation.”
Leverkusen looking at Hudson-Odoi loan
Having seemingly lost out on target Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen are said to have turned their attention to Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi in their quest for a left-winger. The 21-year-old has three England caps, but has been denied regular first team action by Thomas Tuchel and is looking for a move to gain more game time.
Kalajdzic out/ Zirkzee in at Stuttgart?
According to Bild, Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers have offered €15 million for VfB Stuttgart’s Austrian international striker Sasa Kalajdzic. The Scwaben however would see a fee of €25 million as more realistic. Should they lose the 25-year-old, a potential move (loan) for Bayern Munich’s Joshua Zirkzee could be on the cards. Zirksee spent last season on loan at Anderlecht in Belgium where he scored 16 goals in 38 appearances.
Barcelona to offer Meunier/ Dest swap?
Having missed out on signing Cesar Azpilicueta and with a move for Juan Foyth looking unlikely, Barcelona are reportedly looking at Borussia Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier as cheaper option to shore up their right back berth. A swap deal involving Sergino Dest moving to the Signal Iduna Park in exchange is being proposed. Rumours in Germany claim Meunier wants to leave after falling out with coach Edin Terzic, but the player has described the stories as “propaganda”. He was taken off at half-time in the win at Freiburg and then dropped for the matchday 3 clash with Werder Bremen.
Frankfurt still sweating on Kevin Trapp
Eintracht Frankfurt are still waiting to see if a concrete offer comes from Manchester United for keeper Kevin Trapp. It is believed the Old Trafford club will offer around €9.5 million and tempt the 32-year-old with a lucrative wage. The Adler would want a lot more in terms of transfer fee, but more importantly will not want to lose him full stop.
