Two central defenders approaching?
FC Bayern faces surprise transfer with VfB star
13.06.2024, 06:37
FC Bayern is working on strengthening its defense. In addition to Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, a defender from rival VfB Stuttgart is also in the spotlight. Hiroki Ito can leave the runners-up for the agreed transfer fee of 30 million euros.
In addition to the planned signing of national player Jonathan Tah, FC Bayern Munich is apparently working on another promising transfer for central defense – and would also weaken a direct competitor with this. The German record champions are reportedly close to signing the 25-year-old Japanese player Hiroki Ito from runners-up VfB Stuttgart. This is reported by “Bild”, and “Kicker” and Sky also cite corresponding information.
Bayern would therefore benefit from an exit clause in Ito’s contract, which is said to be worth 30 million euros. For Stuttgart, it would be a major loss in sporting terms, but a worthwhile deal: The defender initially came to VfB in 2022 for a small loan fee, and a year later the Swabians signed him permanently for around 600,000 euros.
He was one of the top performers this season and played a major role in the team’s second place in the Bundesliga and qualification for the Champions League. The English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur is also said to have shown interest in Ito, but will not be able to compete in the premier class next season.
Tah does not have an exit clause at German champions Bayer Leverkusen. However, the international player is said to have already agreed a five-year contract with Bayern and has informed his club of his desire to move. His contract with Bayer only runs until 2025. Bayern only finished third in the last Bundesliga season, losing to Leverkusen and Stuttgart.
There is also speculation that Munich are working on signing Portuguese midfielder João Palhinha from Fulham FC.