Bayern Munich plan to recall six loan players early for Club World Cup | OneFootball

Kicker reports that Bayern Munich plan on giving six loan players an audition at the forthcoming club World Cup in the USA. Fielding a squad of players for the first edition of the tournament proves a complicated task for the German record champions ahead of reporting to their Orlando camp on June 14.

First off, many professionals already have international commitments. Moreover, signings like Hoffenheim’s Tom Bischof won’t technically be the property of the German giants until June 30.  The same applies to loan players. Players sitting on expiring contracts – like Leroy Sané, Eric Dier, Thomas Müller and Sven Ulreich – technically remain property of Bayern through the end of the month and can participate.

Kicker reports that the basic strategy will revolve around recalling loan players early and giving them an audition in the June tournament. FCB board-member-for-sport Max Eberl and sporting director Christoph Freund are thus focusing their efforts on getting the following players under contract for the club early.

Paul Wanner (Heidenheim)

The German-Austrian phenom’s participation in the tournament seems a given. In point of fact, the 19-year-old was deliberately left off Antonio di Salvo’s Germany U21 squad for precisely this reason. The German U21s have their own competition to contest this summer. The UEFA U21 European Championship runs parallel to the Club World Cup.

Frans Krätzig (Heidenheim)

Krätzig’s unsuccessful loan to VfB Stuttgart at the beginning of the season already saw him drop out of the U21 call up pool. Bayern will be pleased to welcome the 22-year-old back after his spring loan to Heidenheim (one goal and two assists in nine league appearances) has him in form more reminiscent of last year’s spring loan to Austria Wien.

Bryan Zaragoza (Osasuna)

The Spanish winger’s troubled history with his German club may find some sorting in the tournament. After Bayern acquired him in January 2024, Zaragoza barely featured under head coach Thomas Tuchel with language barriers cited as the reason.

The 23-year-old is on record as stating that he feels more at home back in his native land and wishes to stay. Eberl and staff apparently wish to give the thrice-capped international a chance to change his mind.

Arijon Ibrahimovic (Lazio)

Ibrahimovic’s current Serie A loan club have the option to purchase the German-Kosovar permanently if they so desire, but Bayern can circumvent this with their own buyback option built into the deal. At present, the 19-year-old has only made one appearance for Lazio. A purchase seems unlikely.

Mathys Tel (Tottenham Hotspur)

On the topic of loan purchase clauses unlikely to be activated, Tel’s say in north London isn’t likely to be extended after just one start and three relief appearances for his EPL side. The young Frenchman looks to be back in FCB colours soon.

Adam Aznou (Real Valladolid)

One of the most discussed winter loans was expected back in Bavaria anyway. Bayern made a point of not including a purchase option in the 18-year-old’s deal.

GGFN | Peter Weis