Eberl puts Woltemade transfer on hold for now

Max Eberl didn’t particularly miss the buzz and pressure that come with a larger press conference setting at Säbener Straße.

Sitting before the cameras and microphones on Thursday, the FC Bayern sporting director knew all too well what was in store. The media wasn’t just there to welcome the high-profile arrival of Luis Díaz a transfer that was completed after weeks of negotiations and speculation. No, the spotlight was shifting rapidly to the inevitable questions: Who’s next? Will Bayern continue their recruitment drive? Is anyone leaving? And what about Nick Woltemade a name that had been increasingly linked to the Bavarian giants in recent weeks?

“Nice to see you,” Eberl quipped, opening the press conference with a wry smile that barely concealed his awareness of what was coming. At 51, he’s no stranger to the dance between club executives and the media during transfer season. But behind the smile was a clear message: Bayern, at least for now, are content. “We’re very happy that our desired transfer worked out,” Eberl said, referring to Luis Díaz, who arrives from Liverpool with high expectations and the potential to become a game-changer in the Bavarian attack. Díaz joins the previously acquired Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen and Tom Bischof from Hoffenheim, adding both experience and dynamism to a squad already brimming with talent.

Yet Eberl was quick to set the tone for what comes next or rather, what might not come next. “At the moment, we’re very happy with our squad. For now, our work is done,” he declared, pausing as if to signal that this wasn’t just a media soundbite, but a firm stance from the club’s leadership.

Behind that confidence lies a complex web of factors. This summer has been anything but straightforward. Bayern, like most top clubs, have had to navigate a transfer market distorted by inflated prices, agents demanding lucrative commissions, and the growing presence of clubs from Saudi Arabia and the Premier League distorting wage expectations. But the challenges for Bayern go even deeper.

The squad is currently coping with a string of injuries to key players issues that complicate the calculus of how many reinforcements are truly needed. Hiroki Ito, who impressed last season and was expected to be a major part of Bayern’s backline, is recovering from a metatarsal fracture and isn’t likely to return until October. Alphonso Davies, the club’s first-choice left-back, is also out for the foreseeable future after tearing his ACL, although he has recently returned to light running. And then there’s Jamal Musiala arguably one of the most important players in Bayern’s setup who is still moving with the aid of crutches. While Eberl described Musiala’s rehabilitation as “a positive process,” the fact remains that his return date is still uncertain.

Given these setbacks, many expected Bayern to react aggressively in the market, perhaps by bringing in depth players or short-term replacements. But Eberl made it clear that the club doesn’t intend to react impulsively. “We don’t want to and can’t just expand the squad for the sake of it,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense to overload the team just to get through the next three or four months.”

That’s not to say Bayern are ruling out any further business altogether. Eberl acknowledged that the club continues to monitor the market and remains open to opportunities that make sense both financially and tactically. “We’re watching, of course. The transfer window is open until September 1. There’s still time to see what happens,” he added. It was a reminder that in football, things can change quickly and a single injury, offer, or late development can reshape an entire transfer plan in a matter of hours.

One of the names most frequently linked with Bayern in recent weeks has been Nick Woltemade, the young Werder Bremen forward. Reports had suggested that Bayern were considering a move for the 22-year-old as a depth option with high upside. But when asked directly about the player, Eberl didn’t fan the flames. Instead, his message was cautious and measured. “He’s a talented player, no doubt,” he said, “but there’s nothing imminent at the moment.” For now, the idea of a Woltemade transfer appears shelved not necessarily abandoned, but certainly not a priority.

Eberl’s comments reflected a broader shift in Bayern’s transfer policy under his stewardship. Rather than chasing names or responding to external pressure, the club seems focused on long-term planning and stability. The signings of Tah, Bischof, and Díaz represent deliberate, targeted moves designed to enhance the team’s core without disrupting the overall structure. It’s a balancing act between short-term performance and long-term vision one that Eberl appears determined to master.

As the press conference wound down, there was a sense that Eberl had said exactly what he wanted to say no more, no less. The message was one of control, composure, and quiet confidence. Bayern may still be Bayern a club with sky-high expectations and a hunger for silverware but under Eberl, they’re approaching the transfer market with a new kind of discipline. Whether that approach will pay off come the business end of the season remains to be seen, but for now, the director’s tone is clear: the groundwork is laid, the squad is strong, and unless something extraordinary comes along, Bayern are ready to move forward with what they have.