Bayern Munich’s push for 2020 could be a complete game changer

It would be major news if Bayern Munich was linked to a move for one player from the trio of RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, and Manchester City’s Leroy Sane.

The fact that the Bavarians are rumored to be in a good position to bring in all three Germany internationals will likely to break the internet at this time next year. Sure, a lot can happen between now and then, but all signs are pointing to what should amount to “One Crazy Summer” in which the starring cast won’t include John Cusack, Demi Moore, and Bobcat Goldthwait.

Waiting on Werner

After months of back-and-forth rumors, it finally looks as if Bayern Munich will stick to its guns and try to lure the 23-year-old striker to Bavaria on a free transfer next summer. RB Leipzig is surely distraught with the reality that it likely won’t get a single euro in a deal for Werner, but it will at least be able to rest easy knowing that its high-scoring striker will be leading the attack into the Champions League this season and that he will be around to help push them into the Champions League again next year.

If he moves to Bayern, Werner will bring his ability as a lethal scorer, who will be able to move across the Bayern front-line with ease. With tantalizing speed and a nose for the goal, the Bayern offense could have yet another formidable weapon should things go to plan. If a Bayern front four included Werner, Sane, Havertz, and, say, Serge Gnabry...is there any defensive unit in the world that could keep pace? That is not to say Werner is pushing out Robert Lewandowski — because he’s not — but it’s just a quick look at the type of speed that would be available to Niko Kovac if it was needed.

In addition, if Bayern Munich is able to get Werner on a free transfer, the funds it will save could be directed to the procurement of two more expensive targets in Havertz and Sane.

Staying smart on Sane

Many expected Sane to make the jump to Bayern Munich this summer, but an odd twist of events spurred by Pep Guardiola’s decision to play Sane in the Community Shield game against Liverpool changed all of that.

Sane’s ACL injury — as unfortunate and untimely as it was — should allow Bayern Munich to buy him at a lower price than some of the outrageous €120-€150 million figures that were being thrown around.

If Sane truly wants to make the jump back to the Bundesliga, there should be nothing stopping the 23-year-old from making it happen this winter or next summer as he works to rehab after his ACL surgery.

Going heavy on Havertz

Even with the advantages of what Werner and Sane bring to the table, it is the vast potential of Havertz that really steals the show. Havertz could legitimately be the generational foundation piece to the evolving Bayern Munich puzzle. Right now, Bayern has a very solid mix of youth, mid-career players, and grizzled veterans, but does not have anyone that represents a future mega-star like Havertz.

Havertz isn’t just a technical wizard, but he’s a superior athlete, who already features both speed and power in his game. Simply put, Havertz has the qualities to be a top three to five player in the world at some point — the exact type of player you can build a dynasty around.

A nine-figure sum for Havertz won’t be money wasted by any means.

The potential fallout

While all signs are point to a huge transfer coup for 2020, many things could still affect Bayern Munich’s pursuit of the vaunted threesome. Even more, bringing in those three players would likely mean some others would have to go.

Sure Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho are easy outs as both are only on loan, but could some longtime stalwarts like Thomas Muller, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, or Javi Martinez be headed away from the Allianz Arena? Or could there an exodus for some younger players like Kingsley Coman, Corentin Tolisso, Fiete Arp, Alphonso Davies, or Renato Sanches, who could potentially opt out of Bavaria in hopes of more defined starting roles elsewhere.

Chances are that it will be a minor mix of both groups...and that’s okay given what the return would be. Bayern Munich’s roster revolution is not quite the “Summer of 2019” extravaganza that the club expected, but more of a two-year plan that the front office needed to achieve its goal of setting the roster up for years to come.

With the Bundesliga competition deeper and more close than it has been in years, a Bayern Munich roster better-equipped to handle the rigors of the Champions League than the past few seasons, and a potential explosive transfer window next summer, it’s time to saddle up everyone — we’re headed for a wild 12 months.