January Transfer Window Recap

Since most of their business happens in the summer, Bayern Munich's January transfer windows consist of more fiction than fact. With a deep squad rank with talent, Bayern usually does not require reinforcements. This window was unlike most, providing a way out for one of their players who was not in the right situation, as well as another opportunity to get one of their rising talents the development he needs. Here is a recap of Bayern's transfer window, and the big moves that other clubs around them have made.

Arrivals

While there were no official arrivals, they did complete a pretty big transfer: securing the services of 19-year-old VfB Stuttgart and German academy player Joshua Kimmich. Currently playing at Rasen Ballsport Leipzig, Kimmich will transfer to Bayern for €7 million in the summer, and a contract until 2020 will take affect. He is the next piece in a set of youth acquisitions that have increased over the past three seasons. How he will fit into the team when the time comes is unknown, but Bayern have a few months to configure the correct plan.

Departures

Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Loan, FC Augsburg)

Trying to get him more playing time, the Bayern front office decided to loan Højbjerg for six months to neighbors Augsburg. The 19-year-old could not collect consistent minutes, even with injuries in Bayern's midfield, although he did get more time at the senior level than he ever had before. David Alaba and Bastian Schweinsteiger are now back in the fold, so playing time in Munich would have been pretty tight during the Rückrunde.

He will instead spend that time down the road, trying to help the Fuggerstädter find their way into their first European competition. Manager Markus Weinzierl stuck him in his side right away, a commitment to playing time

Xherdan Shaqiri (Loan, Inter Milan)

The move of course is just an appetizer, Inter Milan using a €3 month loan agreement as a precursor to a €15 million transfer over the summer. Shaqiri has already agreed to a contract until 2019, making his time with Bayern officially over. By the time he left, he had completely lost his place with the club, not even getting a smidgen of playing time before the club decided to let him move on with his career.

Roberto Mancini is trying to ease him into the side, but the Inter manager has shown faith enough to start Shaqiri in two of the five matches (he brought him off the bench in two others). He remains young enough to reboot his career in Serie A, and his ability bolt and bash the football will play well. His time at Bayern may not have been what he fully wanted, but he still was able to make enough of an impact go be given the keys to a historic club.

Missed Targets

In their pursuit of a youth evolution, Bayern had the crowned jewel in their sights, Martin Ødegaard. The 16-year-old Strømgodset midfielder did a tour around Europe, one of his stops being in Munich. He ended up finally landing Real Madrid, who offered the best package for him and his family. He now plays at Real Madrid Castilla, although he seems a few years away from developing into the superstar he was touted to be.

Top Bundesliga Transfers

André Schürrle (€32 million from Chelsea to VfL Wolfsburg)

The third largest transfer in Bundesliga history is the transfer that all Nationalelf fans wanted to see: their 24-year-old electric winger back in Germany. He once again shatters Wolfsburg's transfer record as Klaus Allofs continues to guide Wolfsburg down a sustainable path. Alongside Kevin De Bruyne, Schürrle has the potential to make Wolfsburg one of the best attacks in the Bundesliga, something that could carry onto the international stage.

Marcelo Diaz (€2 million from FC Basel to Hamburger SV)

He is not the big name transfer that will pop out of a transaction list, but his move from Basel to Hamburg is nonetheless important. Hamburg's spine is flimsy, and only Valon Behrami is able to shield the back line from impending doom. Diaz is a versatile player that can help close the gap between defense and attack, supporting Behram as he does it. He will not single-handedly keep Hamburg up, but his contributions could go a long way.

Matija Nastasić (Loan from Manchester City to FC Schalke 04)

Under Roberto Di Matteo, Schalke's defense has turned into one of the best in the Bundesliga with a new three-back system. The Italian manager has added a very crucial piece to his puzzle, exchanging Felipe Santana for Nastasić. The Serbian is more versatile than Santana, a better fit for what Di Matteo wants to do. How he performs could should Schalke back up the table to another third-place finish.

Kevin Kampl (€12 million from Red Bull Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund)

He comes to Dortmund at a very uncomfortable time, but Jürgen Klopp seems committed to try to make their table position more comfortable. He will provide more depth on the flanks, but whether or not he is up to the challenge of helping the Schwarzgelben to safety is a big burden. He will have to adjust to Klopp's system quickly, and an inability to could be perilous to Dortmund's season.

Nils Petersen (Loan from Werder Bremen to SC Freiburg)

He is turning into a journeymen after drawing Bayern's attention three and a half years ago, but he might have found his destination. He has already scored a hat-trick off the bench for Freiburg, and now that Admir Mehmedi is out for an extended period of time, his loan spell will be critical for keeping the club in the Bundesliga.