The Bayern Insider: Ismael Saibari talks advance after Gordon blow as Rashford & Kroupi linked

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The Bayern Insider: Ismael Saibari talks advance after Gordon blow as Rashford & Kroupi linked

Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Ismael Saibari, Eli Junior Kroupi, Morgan Rogers, and Marcus Rashford.

Today’s top stories​

• Who is on Bayern’s attacking transfer shortlist after Anthony Gordon transfer blow?
• Will Bayern compete with Premier League elite for Eli Junior Kroupi and Morgan Rogers?
• Are Bayern Munich happy to sell Harry Kane to Barcelona?
• And plenty more on Mika Godts, Gabriel Martinelli, Nathaniel Brown & Sergiño Dest

Ismael Saibari: Bayern’s top offensive target?​

Ismael Saibari, the PSV Eindhoven winger, is the top target at the moment, with Anthony Gordon having since signed for FC Barcelona. Congratulations to Fabrizio Romano, by the way – he had the news first, and I’ve since confirmed it. There are already talks with the Eredivisie outfit, and I heard that Bayern Munich made an offer of €48m [£41.5m]. But, of course, PSV know that Bayern Munich would have been prepared to pay €60m [£51.9m], so, as you can imagine, they’re also saying, we’ll take €60m for Saibari. For the player, it’s all good; there’s an agreement on personal terms. There’s still some discussion on where the medical would take place, either at the World Cup or somewhere else, depending on timings. At the moment, there are still negotiations with PSV.

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It didn’t work out with Anthony Gordon – Bayern couldn’t match the €80m [£69.2m] Barcelona put forward. It was too much. For €48m-60m, they’d find a solution!

Bayern Munich interest in Morgan Rogers​

It is TRUE: Vincent Kompany is interested in Morgan Rogers, likes the Aston Villa star and would like to have him in Munich. However, the price tag is very high, and there are simply too many Premier League clubs following the Englishman. I don’t think they can afford the player. Bayern fans will remember the story with Xavi Simons when Kompany tried to get the Dutchman. The manager went to Tegernsee, where Uli Hoeneß lives, and the Bayern chief told him that the price is too high, but he can have a slice of pie. I think in this case, it could be another slice of pie for Vincent Kompany!

Eli Junior Kroupi up for a Bundesliga transfer?​

There is a lot of interest in Eli Junior Kroupi after a very good first season with AFC Bournemouth. That’s why he’s going to be very expensive this summer. We heard about interest from Arsenal, and there are rumours that they’d be prepared to pay €100m [£86.5m] for the attacker. I don’t think this will be the case, but even the €70m [£60.5m] quoted, which is the price tag at the moment, is very high for Bayern Munich. So, this is one reason why Ismael Saibari is higher up on the list, as he’s easier to get and not quite as expensive. Nonetheless, Kroupi remains a very interesting player for FC Bayern!

What’s going on with Mika Godts?​

It is TRUE: Mika Godts is on Bayern Munich’s shortlist. He’s not as highly rated as Saibari; he’s considered more of an alternative candidate. I’m not sure why, as he looks fantastic, and he’s enjoyed a really strong season in the Dutch top-flight. He’s also not as expensive, with a price tag set at €35m [£30.2m] (despite a contract running until 2029). But Bayern Munich have decided to first go for Saibari. If this doesn’t work out, Godts can be the next candidate.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo on Bayern Munich’s transfer list?​

He’s a player who fits perfectly in the ideal profile Bayern Munich are searching for. He’s 21, plays for Lille, and is available at a €35m price tag. However, I’ve yet to get confirmation on this name. I think from the profile, Fernandez Pardo looks like a player who would be of interest to Bayern – but I can’t yet say for 100% certain if he’s on the list or not. When I’ve watched him, I can’t find a specific reason why Bayern wouldn’t be looking at him. There are rumours that the Belgian is on the list, so we’ll have to see what happens if things don’t work out with Saibari. At the moment, he’s perhaps a candidate a bit behind his Eredivisie counterpart on the list.

Could Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli be on the move this summer?​

It is TRUE: Gabriel Martinelli has always been on FC Bayern’s list since Thomas Tuchel put him on the shortlist during his reign in Munich. Everyone in Bayern knows it wouldn’t be so easy to bring the Brazilian to Bavaria. He doesn’t have the playing time he’d like in London, but he’d also struggle to get it instantly in Munich. Martinelli isn’t a player for the first XI, and it’s well-known that Bayern Munich are looking for a backup option, so it’s not a perfect move for the left winger. €45m [£38.9m] could be the price tag; that would be okay. But Bayern Munich are, at the moment, going for players who don’t have such a big name – that was one clear decision made after the Gordon deal fell through. They want to develop a player in the position. I’m not sure if Martinelli would be overjoyed at this prospect.

Marcus Rashford is still on the market​

It’s very interesting that the Marcus Rashford to Bayern rumours are up and running again! When I spoke to Bayern previously, weeks before, there was always a NOT TRUE on Marcus Rashford. However, there was the idea of signing Anthony Gordon, but the ex-Newcastle star is now at Barcelona, and so Rashford could now be on the market. I think for Bayern, it wouldn’t be a problem to pay the stated price tag of €40m [£34.5m], which Barcelona don’t appear to be able to pay all at once. For Bayern, this would be no problem. But the one big problem is the high salary, as FC Bayern doesn’t want to be forking out a big wage for a backup signing. The name is interesting, but let’s see what happens with the other candidates. I personally don’t think he’s an option for Bayern right now, but it’s worth remembering that Luis Diaz wasn’t the first-choice signing last summer (the club had three or four players ahead of him on the list). So I won’t say no for sure, but it’s not hot at the minute.

Rafael Leão blows down the exit door at AC Milan​

It is NOT TRUE: Rafael Leão is an option for Bayern Munich this summer. There were talks last summer with the AC Milan player. Max Eberl, the director of sport, held talks with the Portuguese footballer at the time of the Nations League, but in the end, the club decided he wouldn’t be suitable for the dressing room (not a “Bayern-like” player). So, that’s why I don’t think he’ll be hot this summer. AC Milan want €50m [£43.2m] for Rafael Leão, and while that would be okay for Bayern, they have other options on the list who would be better suited as backups than the Serie A star.

The fullback search: Sergiño Dest and Nathaniel Brown​

I talked a lot about Nathaniel Brown with both clubs, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich. FC Bayern initially weren’t moving for this big talent, but their minds have since changed! That’s because Alphonso Davies racked up a lot of missed minutes through injury last season and because of the concrete interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid (and, I hear, from Enzo Maresca at Manchester City) in Brown. So, Bayern know that if they don’t move for the 22-year-old left-back now, they won’t sign this player for the future. And my goodness, does he have a big future!

He’s with the German national team here in the States and is fighting with David Raum for the left-back spot for the World Cup team. I heard that Bayern Munich already knocked on the door of Frankfurt, but sporting director Markus Krösche is saying he won’t sell Nathaniel Brown for less than €60m [£51.9m], and he’s ideally looking for €65m [£56.2m]. He knows that if he performs at the World Cup, the price is only going to go up. So, Frankfurt are happy to wait. Nathaniel Brown himself would love to play for Bayern Munich. There’s already been contact with the player, and there’s no problem with securing personal terms; he’d love to make this next step.

If it happens and Bayern have to pay such a high amount, perhaps they could sell Alphonso Davies to Saudi Arabia, as there is interest. With other clubs, there’s always going to be a problem with a high price tag and a salary of €20m [£17.2m]. This could be a big problem for a player who spent much of the 2025/26 season injured.

Bayern could also move for Sergiño Dest on top of Nathaniel Brown this summer. Max Eberl has to sell players – they’re searching for a club for Sacha Boey – and they have in mind the possibility that Josip Stanišić can play at centre-back. There’s still the situation with Konrad Laimer, but I heard that there are very good vibes that he’ll sign a new contract. But it’s good to have Dest around as an option. Bayern Munich were interested in the United States international even before he moved to Barcelona. Now he’s playing for PSV Eindhoven, and Bayern are already in talks with the Dutch club because of Ismael Saibari. So, you see the connection is there. I think you can find a solution. Also, it’s worth noting that Brown can play in midfield and Dest can play both left-back and right-back. So there are many options and combinations for the players. Bayern will first try to make the Brown deal happen, but Dest is also on the list.

Is it really all over between Bayern and Kennet Eichhorn?​

It is TRUE: There were big discussions between the supervisory board and Max Eberl over the prospect of signing Kennet Eichhorn. Eberl tried really hard to get the player. Bayern Munich booked a private plane to bring the teenager (16) from Berlin to Munich ahead of the Champions League semi-final clash with PSG. Secret talks were held in the Four Seasons hotel between Vincent Kompany and the midfielder. He was talking a lot with the player, and the Belgian head coach would have loved to sign him. Max Eberl tried to pursue Eichhorn to push for a move to Bayern.

He has a big market. Bayer Leverkusen have made an offer for him, as have Liverpool (even though he can’t play in the Premier League for another two years). There is an idea to send him out on loan to Leverkusen. Borussia Dortmund are still at the poker table, but Bayern Munich are not prepared to meet the signing fee of €10m [£8.6m], which is more than the release clause (€9m). The agency and player know that he has a price on the market of about €20m, so this would be a normal price. But Bayern Munich understandably think a €10m signing fee for a 16-year-old is too high.

Bayern prepared to sell Harry Kane to Barcelona?​

It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are ready to sell Harry Kane to Barcelona for €80m. FC Bayern do not want to sell the fantastic Kane! They’ve already started talks over a new contract. The only question on the table is how long this new contract will be. Is it just one year, one year with an option, or will Harry Kane ask for longer? This could be a little problem, but in the end, they really want to keep the striker. He’s had a fantastic season and is clearly very important for Vincent Kompany’s team. So Barcelona are going to have to search for another solution if Julian Alvarez doesn’t work out.

Dante is back!​

Bayern Munich have a lot of faith in Dante’s future as a coach. Remember, he played last season on the pitch for Nice, but he also completed his UEFA Pro Licence, and Bayern Munich loves the idea that they can educate players like Xabi Alonso and Vincent Kompany; young coaches with great experiences as players. I know Dante; he’s a really, really nice guy, a funny guy, a really cool guy. I think he’ll do a great job with the players, but we have to see if he can also be tough! A manager has to be tough. I haven’t yet seen him be tough in his coaching, but I think we’ll soon see that side of the Brazilian.

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