The transfer market continues to move all over Europe and this Wednesday, some shocking news came from the German Bundesliga. Reigning champions Bayern Munich have sold their star centre-back, Mats Hummels… to Borussia Dortmund, his former side and from where they acquired him in 2016.
The 30-year-old central defender previously spent eight years with Dortmund before joining rivals Bayern in 2016. But now, Die Roten have sent Hummels back to his former side. Per several reports, the deal was worth €38 million (£33.8m/$42.5m).
The timing of the transfer and the whole move seems to be… quite puzzling. At least from Bayern’s point of view. There’s no question why Dortmund decided to bring Hummels back. The former Germany international might not be one of the world’s best centre-backs as he once was. But he will bring leadership, experience, and a sense of belonging to the side that was seriously lacking on the squad last season.
Plus, Hummels represents an immediate upgrade over Dortmund’s other centre-back alternatives. Nothing against players such as Manuel Akanji, Dan-Axel Zagadou or Abdou Diallo, but Hummels is a far better player. But it’s odd to see Bayern Munich making this move, especially considering their lack of depth at the centre-back position.
Niklas Süle is Bayern’s lone centre-back on the squad – assuming Jerome Boateng will leave the side during the course of the summer as expected. Perhaps Niko Kovac wants to move Javi Martinez to the centre-back position he had under Pep Guardiola’s tutelage? Or maybe he’s planning for a bigger move in the coming weeks? He must have some kind of strategy to let Hummels leave just like that. Especially considering he joined one of Bayern’s direct opponents on the Bundesliga title race. Or maybe the only side that has a real chance of upsetting them.
No one knows what Bayern Munich will do over the next few weeks in the transfer market. But considering the side also needs to upgrade their wing depth following the departures of both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, it’s hard to understand why they also let Hummels leave the side just like that.
Only time will tell whether they made the right move or not.
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