Bayern Munich have all-but confirmed the arrival of Raphael Guerreiro with the Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Leeds United-linked star on his way to the Bundesliga champions.
The phrase ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ comes to mind.
Less than a month a after Borussia Dortmund choked on a dramatic final day and sent the Bundesliga trophy gift-wrapped back to Bavaria, Raphael Guerreiro is set to follow in the footsteps of Mats Hummels, Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski; swapping the perennial bridesmaids for a Bayern side celebrating their tenth domestic title in succession.
Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have all been linked with the Portugal international in recent months, via Dean Jones and The Sun. Any hopes relegated Leeds may have had of luring Guerreiro to Elland Road went up in smoke as Tottenham ran riot on Elland Road at the end of May.
Bayern, meanwhile, are back to their old ways. A team renowned for stripping the assets of their rivals snatching star players from both Dortmund and RB Leipzig with Konrad Laimer also on his way.
Raphael Guerreiro joining Bayern Munich
“I think we have good players now with Guerreiro and Laimer,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, now a board member at the Allianz Arena, tells DAZN.
Guerreiro’s contract expires at the end of this month.
The former Lorient ace scored six times and set up 12 more during perhaps his finest campaign yet in 2022/23, and will add serious depth and tactical flexibility to Bayern’s ranks due to his ability to play at left-back or further forward in midfield.
Guerreiro’s arrival, meanwhile, may raise further concerns surrounding the future of Alphonso Davies with a Real Madrid side who snatched David Alaba back in 2021 looking to raid the German giants again.
“Right now we haven’t made any decisions on anything. (Davies) is part of the Bayern team. We can’t confirm anything, and we can’t deny anything,” the Canadian’s agent tells Fabrizio Romano.
“I’ve always been a big fan of Real Madrid, as a fan in general, you know. 14 Champions Leagues. It makes you proud when you see someone you manage linked with Real Madrid.”
“There is nothing concrete with any club. One club has to want to sell. Another has to initiate talks. And then the player has to want to leave. We don’t know if those talks have happened between clubs, and where those discussions have gone.
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