Bayern Munich Transfer News: Marco Verratti, Federico Bernardeschi Rumours

Bayern Munich have reportedly settled on their transfer targets for the summer window, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti, Fiorentina star Federico Bernardeschi and Bayer Leverkusen youngster Benjamin Henrichs all said to be on their agenda.

According to Sport Bild (h/t Sky Sports), the German giants have made the decision following their 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final. After taking an early lead, Los Blancos came roaring back with two second-half goals from Cristiano Ronaldo.

It’s a crucial summer for the Bavarian giants, with skipper Philipp Lahm and midfield maestro Xabi Alonso both set to retire. With that in mind, it’d be no surprise to see the club spend big.

If Bayern are looking for a replacement for Alonso, Verratti would potentially be ideal. In 2015, a then-unemployed Ancelotti said in an interview with Radio Anch’Io lo Sport (h/t Football Italia) that the playmaker was "the best of all."

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Although the Italian operates a little further forward compared to the current Bayern man, he offers control, quality and a magnificent passing range.

Per WhoScored.com, so often the passes played by Verratti are incisive ones too:

Given his age and just how crucial he is to PSG, getting the Italian out of the French capital would be a very difficult ask. However, Bayern are more advanced in their development than the Ligue 1 side, and the prospect of joining a club close to challenging for the very top honours, under a manager like Ancelotti, could appeal to the midfielder.

Indeed, a trio in the middle third consisting of Thiago Alcantara, Arturo Vidal and Verratti would be as good as any in European football.

Bernardeschi is another interesting option for the Bavarian club and in the same interview, Ancelotti also expressed his admiration for the Fiorentina man. The 23-year-old has been in brilliant form this term too, netting 10 goals and laying on four assists in Serie A.

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As noted by Bleacher Report’s Adam Digby earlier in the campaign, the Italy international is happy to put a shift in too:

In many respects, the Fiorentina man is the complete package. Not only is he talented and hard-working, he’s versatile too; this season he’s operated as a wing-back, in the centre of midfield and behind a striker. Bernardeschi would be a huge asset for Ancelotti.

The same applies to Henrichs, who has been a bright spot for Leverkusen in an otherwise disappointing campaign. Here’s a look at what the full-back can offer:

Although it’d premature to suggest he’d be a replacement for Lahm, there are stylistic similarities. The youngster is versatile—able to play on the right and left of defence—calm in possession and makes brilliant decisions with unerring regularity.

Per OptaFranz, despite his tender years Henrichs has established himself as a mainstay in this Leverkusen side:

Bayern are typically one of the most decisive clubs in Europe when it comes to getting signings through the door, and it’d be no surprise if they were already plotting moves for the upcoming window.

Verratti, of the trio mentioned, may be the most difficult to prise away from his employers, while Fiorentina and Leverkusen will be desperate to hang on to Bernardeschi and Henrichs, respectively. However, there aren’t many clubs in the world capable of matching the financial might and gravitas of Bayern.