Matthäus finds Bayern's comments about De Ligt and Tah foolish

Bayern Munich's pursuit of Jonathan Tah has sparked considerable discussion, particularly regarding the club's approach to handling the transfer market.

Reports indicate that Bayern has reached an agreement to bring Tah from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of €25 million. However, there is a significant hurdle: the club's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, has publicly stated that Bayern must offload players before completing Tah's transfer. This statement has placed Matthijs de Ligt's future in the spotlight, as the Dutch defender is reportedly a target for Manchester United.

Lothar Matthäus, a legendary figure in German football and a former Bayern Munich player, has been openly critical of the way Bayern is handling this situation. In his column for BILD, Matthäus argued that Hoeness's public comments about the need to sell players could be detrimental to the club’s negotiating position. By revealing that Bayern "wants or even needs to sell," Hoeness might inadvertently weaken the club’s leverage in the transfer market. Matthäus pointed out a similar situation in the past when Hoeness's public remarks about Tottenham Hotspur reportedly drove up the price of Harry Kane, complicating Bayern's efforts to secure the striker.

Matthäus’s critique extends beyond just the public comments; he also questions the necessity of signing Jonathan Tah. Matthäus believes that Bayern does not actually need Tah, especially if the primary motive is to weaken a domestic rival like Leverkusen. He highlighted the performances of Dayot Upamecano during the Euros, noting that when given confidence, Upamecano is a stable and reliable option in defense. Matthäus also mentioned other defensive options available to Bayern, including Min-Jae Kim, Eric Dier, and Hiroki Ito, once the latter returns to fitness. Additionally, Josip Stanisic, who has proven versatile in various defensive roles, could be used centrally if needed.

Moreover, Matthäus speculates that De Ligt might still remain at Bayern, which would further reduce the need for another central defender like Tah. If De Ligt stays, Bayern would already have a wealth of options in the center-back position, potentially making the signing of Tah unnecessary.

This situation at Bayern Munich reflects a broader challenge that clubs face in balancing squad depth with financial prudence. The need to sell before buying is a common dilemma, but the way it is communicated can have significant implications. Matthäus’s concerns suggest that transparency in such matters should be handled with care, especially in the high-stakes environment of football transfers, where market dynamics and club strategies are closely watched by competitors and the media alike.

As the transfer window progresses, it remains to be seen how Bayern will navigate these complexities. The decisions made in the coming weeks will not only affect the club's defensive lineup but could also influence its broader strategy in both domestic and international competitions. Whether Tah eventually joins Bayern or not, the handling of this situation will likely be scrutinized as an example of the delicate balance between football management and public relations.