Could any players follow Julian Nagelsmann from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich?

Now that Bayern Munich have officially announced the appointment of Julian Nagelsmann as their next head coach, speculation around Nagelsmann’s potential transfer wish-list has started surfacing in Germany.

The Bavarians have already acquired highly-rated Dayot Upamecano, who has been Nagelsmann’s commander-in-defense since the latter’s appointment as RB Leipzig manager. With Die Roten facing a massive loss of revenue of approximately €150 million, it can be safely ruled out that the management will go on a spending spree in the summer transfer window.

However, this season saw a steep quality gap emerge between the starters and backups in certain positions of Bayern’s roster. Defensive-midfield and right-back position, in particular, is in immediate need of reinforcements.

Are there any potential RB Leipzig players Nagelsmann could lure to Bavaria?

Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

With Leipzig set to lose their manager, center-back Upamecano and possibly, Liverpool-bound Ibrahim Konate all in one transfer window, the upcoming season could prove to be a transition year at the Red Bull Arena.

Per a report from Tz, there are two established stars who could look for greener pastures after Nagelsmann’s exit. Club captain Marcel Sabitzer and Emil Forsberg might not want to be a part of an upheaval at this stage of their respective careers and thus, could seek for a big-money transfer:

It is questionable whether stars like Marcel Sabitzer or Emil Forsberg want to go along with another upheaval. Instead, like their coach, they could take the next step to an absolute top club — possibly FC Bayern. Both are in their prime as footballers and have one year left on their contracts.

In addition, both players will be entering the final year of their contracts, which means Leipzig will be looking to cash in on the two proven players, instead of losing them for free.

In plain language, this means for Leipzig: Either extend the contract or use the last chance for a transfer fee by selling the player in the summer.

Photo by Carmen Jespersen - Pool/Getty Images

In crude terms, Sabitzer is essentially to Nagelsmann what Thomas Muller is for Hansi Flick: a crucial component of the team and an extended arm of the coach. Given that the Bavarians are in a dire need of a midfielder who can fit in high-pressing systems, Sabitzer could prove to be a tremendous utility piece capable of playing anywhere in midfield. Forsberg too, can be deployed in multiple attacking positions and brings a certain ‘veteran presence’ to the team.

However, it remains to be seen if Forsberg or Sabitzer can fulfil the club’s long-term needs. Additionally, the duo might look for a club where they are guaranteed a berth in the starting-XI.

Nonetheless, if sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić is indeed looking to raid RB Leipzig, he might want to keep an eye on 22-year-old Tyler Adams, a deep-lying playmaker deemed as the next Joshua Kimmich and/or 23-year-old Konrad Laimer, who could be an adequate replacement for outgoing veteran Javi Martinez.

Even with some intriguing possibilities, Nagelsmann does not think adding players from RB Leipzig would be a good look for him.

“It’s quite normal in the special situation where RB has also done something for me that I’m not starting to dig at the players,” said Nagelsmann (as captured by Abendzeitung). “I’m not going to rent a T6 or whatever to go to Munich and have one or two good players from Leipzig with me.”