They won the 2022/23 Bundesliga title but Bayern went into the final day of the campaign as outsiders, which was a position unheard of over the last decade.
A victory over Cologne, thanks to a late, late Jamal Musiala strike, was enough for Thomas Tuchel’s side to beat Borussia Dortmund on goal difference after BVB had been frustrated by Mainz. But why was it so close? Why did the Bavarians only snatch the trophy through the failings of their Klassiker rival?
In a word…Lewandowski.
They never actually replaced their talisman who headed off to Barcelona in the summer of 22, but now that FC Bayern are aiming for a 12th consecutive title, the club owners are determined to fill that gaping hole.
But Robert Lewandowski has big boots to fill.
Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane has been the subject of two bids from the Bundesliga champions but they will have to be patient as the England striker is yet to speak to new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou. Once those conversations have been held then the situation should become clearer and reports have emerged in the UK that Tottenham have already identified a replacement, should Kane be on his way. Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is on the Spurs radar but, again, nobody is anticipating a speedy resolution until the North London club has spoken to their star man, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is notoriously difficult to deal with.
If they can reach an agreement the price will be approaching £100m, but Bayern are also looking elsewhere. Eintracht Frankfurt striker Randal Kolo Muani could be available this summer at a price of around 90m Euros and Bayern, along with Real Madrid, who are looking to replace Karim Benzema, are keeping an eye on the player. The 24 year old France star scored 23 goals and made 17 assists for Frankfurt last term and he is now one of the hottest properties in the league.
The latest Bundesliga 2023 betting odds back a Bayern title; and if they land a top class striker there will be few arguments with that.
Red Bull still searching for new blood
As we reported last week at SBOTOP, Leipzig head coach Marco Rose is looking for re-enforcements in preparation for the new campaign with striker Christopher Nkunku already departed to Chelsea and centre back Josko Gvardiol seemingly bound for Manchester City. To replace Nkunku, Red Bull will have to spend some serious money and they have already had a 43m Euros offer for Lens striker Lois Openda knocked back. This situation has been going on for a while and this is the fourth round of negotiations between the clubs, while Leipzig have apparently agreed personal terms with the player. The Ligue 1 side will try to hold out for a bigger offer, but Red Bull have other alternatives, with Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, who scored 22 goals on loan with Rheims last season, near the top of the Germans’ list.
Rose has also been scouring France for a replacement for Gvardiol and are close to signing Lyon’s 20 year old centre back Castello Lubeka. Talks between Leipzig and Lyon are progressing well for the player who featured 38 times for OL last season and is part of France’s U21 team.
Reus steps down
In other Bundesliga 2023 news there is a change in captaincy at Borussia Dortmund following the announcement that skipper Marco Reus will be handing over the armband after five years of leading Die Schwarzgelben. Reus has been with the club for ten campaigns, scoring 114 goals in 268 appearances and will still be a key part of the squad, assuming he stays in Dortmund. But, at 34 years of age, he is no longer guaranteed a starting place and, in a video message to the fans Reus announced his decision.
His Germany team-mate Niklas Sule appears to be the frontrunner to replace Reus as captain. There is some sadness that Reus could not lead BVB over the line in May and Sule has won the Bundesliga five times, during his spell at FC Bayern, before he moved to the Signal Iduna Park 12 months ago.
At 6ft 5in he is a commanding centre back and, at 27 years of age, Sule is in the prime of his career as well as being a popular figure in the dressing room. He made the surprise move from Munich last summer but has settled well in Dortmund and, with three years left on his contract, he looks to be with BVB for the long haul.
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