With the transfer season ramping into high gear, the newest player linked with Bayern Munich is Torino fullback, Matteo Darmian. According to multiple sources in recent weeks, the 25-year-old Italian international is close to joining Bayern Munich on a transfer somewhere north of €15 million.
Italian publication La Stampa first reported the deal in late May noting that Bayern Munich had bid €17 million for his services with Torino reportedly setting the fee at €20 million. On Tuesday, a report in TuttoSport independently reported the story, noting that Bayern Munich had offered €16 million plus bonuses for his services to the Turin based club.
Darmian has been a mainstay for Torino for the past four seasons, racking up over 2500 minutes every year, displaying reliability and the ability to stay healthy. With solid contributions in both his attacking and defensive game, he's an all-around fullback.
Why It Makes Sense
With the potential departure of Mitchell Weiser starting to grow more likely, Bayern Munich have no rightback depth behind Rafinha. From that perspective, a Darmian signing makes perfect sense for Bayern. Given that Rafinha also turns 30 in September, adding in a younger depth option will help in the short-term and the long-term especially given the way Rafinha has changed more from being an out-and-out attacking fullback to being a more versatile tactical fullback/centerback hybrid. Adding in an option like Darmian makes Bayern a more balanced side if they lose Weiser.
Furthermore, with Torino missing out on qualifying for European competition, if there was a season for Darmian to move on to a bigger club this is it.
Why It Doesn't Make Sense
That price. If Darmian is a backup fullback -- though we said the exact same thing about Juan Bernat last season -- €15-20 million is a large amount of money to drop on a player who might play limited minutes. Rafinha has the first choice role locked down after the way he's grown the last two seasons under Guardiola and unless something is wildly amiss at the Sabener Straße, there's not much room for Darmian right now. Switching from first team minutes in Serie A to being a backup rightback may not be best offer he gets, especially with so many other top level European clubs hurting in the rightback position.