FC Bayern Munich’s preparations for the top Bundesliga game against feared opponents Borussia Mönchengladbach have been overshadowed by recent hectic activities on the transfer market – and a bitter disappointment on Friday evening. “We’re trying to complement and strengthen our team. It seems to be a last-minute decision,” said coach Thomas Tuchel on Friday a few hours before the end of the transfer period in Germany about the million-dollar commitment of Portuguese João Palhinha from FC Fulham . Tuchel sounded very confident.
However, by the deadline of 6:00 p.m., FC Bayern was unable to report any completion. According to “Sky” and “Kicker” the change burst, although Palhinha was already in Munich and had completed the medical check. A contract was therefore already negotiated. The 28-year-old should become the purely defensive six in the Munich squad so much desired by Tuchel. More than 50 million euros should be paid for Palhinha. Allegedly, there hasn’t been a green light from Fulham that didn’t find a Palhinha replacement at short notice.
After the departures of Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan) and Josip Stanisic (on loan to Leverkusen), the German record champions were still looking for a defensive player who could defend on the right outside and inside. “That’s a big gap that’s there,” said Tuchel. One candidate should be Southampton FC international Armel Bella-Kotchap.
In the press conference for the Gladbach game, Tuchel said goodbye to Dutch international Ryan Gravenberch. The 21-year-old midfielder was about to move to Liverpool. The “main problem” in Munich for the player was that there is no offensive eighth position in Bayern’s game system, says Tuchel. “Ryan sees Liverpool’s 4-3-3 as an opportunity to fight for his place.”
Gravenberch joined from Ajax Amsterdam for 18.5 million euros a year ago and is now set to move to England for more than double the price. Gravenberch is a “nice guy” and a “hardworking, talented player,” said Tuchel. However, he had “quarreled” with his unsatisfactory reserve role with the record champions.
