Grading Bayern Munich on Their 2015 Summer Transfer Window Dealings

Bayern Munich fans will undoubtedly be looking forward to another successful season under Pep Guardiola, yet just how much of that will be down to the players who they brought in over the summer transfer window?

Incidentally, just how well did the Bavarian giants do in this summer’s market?

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Bayern’s summer dealings was the sheer size and scale of some of their transfers. Not only did Pep Guardiola and his backroom staff seek out genuine quality in Europe’s top leagues, but also they certainly weren’t afraid to flash the clash when needed.

Fans of the Munich side have been purring in delight since Douglas Costa’s first game under Guardiola. From either the left or right wing, the Brazilian international has looked like a genuine talent and slotted in to Bayern’s first team like a player who’s been playing in Germany his entire career.

Among the baffling amounts of cash splashed on questionable talent in Spain and England, £21 million for Costa looks like an absolute steal. He may not sell as many shirts as Angel Di Maria or have as many column inches written about as Anthony Martial, but both will surely offer less than the new Bayern winger this season.

Similarly, while Manchester United were linked with every central midfielder under the sun, Bayern quietly and confidently set about capturing the signature of Arturo Vidal, a box-to-box player who will undoubtedly add a talent that can take Guardiola’s team to the very top of European football.

Add to that slightly less important deals such as Joshua Kimmich—a talented, young central midfielder—and Sven Ulreich—a worthy backup goalkeeper to Manuel Neuer—and there’s no denying that Bayern have done a great job recruiting new players this summer.

Yet that’s not to say Bayern have had a perfect summer of transfer activity.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

One thing that may take the shine off of a smart offseason has been the departure of Bastian Schweinsteiger, whose presence in the dressing room and on the pitch will undoubtedly be felt at certain points this season.

Similarly, Dante moving to Wolfsburg may have seemed like smart spring cleaning—even if it took place in August—but the Brazilian defender was arguably the only competent back-up central defender until Holger Badstuber returns from injury.

Pepe Reina, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mitchell Weiser all left the club this summer as well. The departure of the former may have bothered few Bayern fans, yet the two latter youngsters moving on to pastures new continues to suggest that the German champions still struggle to bring through their own talented youth products.

On a wider note, there are aspects of this team that Guardiola and Bayern’s backroom staff could have worked on.

Sure, the Catalonian coach may have plenty of cover in midfield and at left-back. But Bayern still only have Rafinha as a replacement for Philipp Lahm, and Kimmich stands as the only genuine defensive midfielder in the squad to step in should Xabi Alonso pick up a long-term injury.

Bayern fans may also take issue with Robert Lewandowski having no actual back-up within the squad. Guardiola would argue that Thomas Muller and perhaps even Mario Gotze could step in if needed, but in truth neither are actual strikers who could play the role the Polish international does so well.

Bayern fans will be more than happy with the players they did bring in this summer, but they’ll probably wish they had another right-back and a striker who could push Lewandowski when needed. It's another strong summer transfer window but not exactly perfect.

Bayern Munich’s 2015/16 summer transfer window grade: B+