We often think of the Premier League as the greatest top flight in world football but it’s certainly faced a feisty challenge from the Bundesliga over the last few years.
Indeed, the Bundesliga may still be inevitably dominated by Bayern Munich but the quality of the rest of the league appears to be improving with every season. Likewise, the Germans’ more relaxed views on ‘safe standing’ and fan ownership creates arguably the most electric atmospheres in European football.
Where the German top flight still lacks in comparison to the Premier League, however, is finance, which is why we’ve seen a number of Bundesliga stars arrive on English shores already this summer – including Liverpool signing Roberto Firmino and Manchester United’s World Cup-winning midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Could we see even more turn up in the Premier League before the close of the transfer window? Football Fancast takes a look at FIVE Bundesliga stars the Red Devils could snap up in the next few weeks, based on recent speculation.
TIMO HORN
Real Madrid are running out of time to complete their rather arduous pursuit of David De Gea, but that also means Manchester United are running out of time to source an adequate replacement for their PFA Player of the Year nominated No.1.
They’ve been most consistently linked with Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris and Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen, but with both boasting some rather extortionate price-tags within the realms of world-record-breaking, the Red Devils might be forced to consider some less obvious, significantly cheaper options.
At which point, I turn your attentions to FC Koln’s Timo Horn, arguably the most impressive goalkeeper in the Bundesliga last season with 92 saves and 13 clean sheets in 33 appearances – ranking him third and fourth respectively throughout the division.
He certainly lacks the experience of United’s other goalkeeping options, yet to feature in the Europa League or the Champions League, but at 22 years of age is bursting with potential and could prove a very shrewd long-term investment – not too dissimilar a situation to United’s swoop for De Gea in summer 2011.
Horn signed a new contract earlier this year and now tied down to RhineEnergieStadion until 2019, Koln are by no means obliged to sell. But neither are they in a position to turn down sizeable bids, and in 29 year-old Thomas Kessler they have a back-up capable of holding the fort until January.
MARCO REUS
If you caught the news this morning you’ll already know Louis van Gaal has apparently ended his interest in Barcelona star Pedro which makes you wonder what the Manchester United boss might have up his sleeve.
Could we see a shock last minute move for Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus? It’s certainly possible.
After all, the 26 year-old is easily amongst the most formidable and complete attacking threats in world football; famed for his ability to play anywhere across the attacking midfield berth or as an out-and-out striker, whilst producing 37 goals and 27 assists in 82 league outings for the Black-Yellows.
Louis van Gaal loves his ‘multifunctional footballers’ and the German international is certainly one of them, equally adept at the roles of scorer and provider, and his pace would be a huge asset for a United side that struggle to truly penetrate opposition defences.
Reus signed a new contract at Westfalen in February, eradicating his previous outrageously cheap £25million release clause. That means Dortmund could realistically demand anything up to £60million for the 5 foot 11 attacker – but he’s certainly not out of the Red Devils’ reach this summer.
KARIM BELLARABI
A significantly cheaper Bundesliga-inspired alternative to Marco Reus, I find it borderline incredible Europe’s elite are yet to take advantage of Karim Bellarabi’s ludicrously cheap £11million release clause.
The Bayer Leverkusen star may lack experience at top level but his superlative form was unquestionably one of the German top flight’s biggest talking points last season, amassing twelve goals and six assists in 33 appearances whilst averaging the most successful dribbles per match, a whopping 4.7, of any player in the division.
Despite that being enough for the 25 year-old to worm his way into Joachim Lowe’s plans for the German national team, picking up seven caps since his debut last October, Bellarabi still represents a bit of a punt for the Red Devils.
That being said, in terms of power, pace and netting prowess, the explosive winger is exactly what they need. At £11million, in my opinion, he’s certainly worth the gamble.
MARIO GOTZE
If there’s one major name still for the taking during the last two weeks of the summer transfer window, it’s Bayern Munich’s Mario Gotze.
The German international is best famed for his superb winning volley in last summer’s World Cup final but at club level he’s really struggled to impact since swapping Borussia Dortmund for the Bundesliga champions in summer 2013.
Indeed, Pep Guardiola has often dropped the 23 year-old forward for Bayern’s most important fixtures, despite a decent return of 31 goals in 95 appearances, and according to Gotze there’s been a bit of a communication breakdown between himself and the Allianz Arena boss.
Manchester United aren’t exactly in the market for a No.10; they’ve got quite a few playing in less favourable positions already – particularly Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata.
But Gotze is versatile enough to feature in other areas of the Red Devils attack and due to reputation alone he’s certainly the kind of signing that would galvanise the fan base.
The Old Trafford outfit have already been linked with the disillusioned Bayern star’s signature. But recent speculation suggests Arsenal are his likeliest next destination at this moment in time.
THOMAS MULLER
It’s a transfer that seems almost implausible yet eternally dominates the tabloid rumour columns; Louis van Gaal’s relentless pursuit of Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller.
There is perhaps a no more complete attacker in world football than the German international; supremely versatile, sensationally industrious, imperiously physical, and a consistent goal scorer, with 123 goals in 306 appearances for the Bavarians.
His international record of 27 in 63 isn’t too shabby either. That includes ten goals from the last two World Cups, earning him the Golden Boot award in 2010 and firing Die Mannschaft to the international title in Brazil last summer.
Already a World Cup winner, Champions League winner and Golden Boot proprietor at the age of 25, if van Gaal could have his choice of one final signing this summer I’m certain it would be the 6 foot 1 utility attacker.
German publication Bild claim the Red Devils have recently launched a Premier League record £60million bid, but the Bayern hierarchy continue to insist Muller won’t be sold this summer.