Julian Nagelsmann provides update on Bayern Munich’s Euro 2020 stars, transfers

Bayern Munich made it zero wins out of two for the preseason friendlies, drawing AFC Ajax 2-2 at the Allianz Arena. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Tanguy Nianzou scored the goals for Bayern while Zakaria Labyad and Victor Jenson scored for Ajax. Bayern hasn’t looke particularly impressive in either of their two preseason friendly matches, but Julian Nagelsmann really only has younger players and fringe players available at the moment. Choupo-Moting, Sven Ulreich, and new signing Dayot Upamecano are some of the only seasoned players he has at his disposal.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw with Ajax, Nagelsmann provided an update on when we can expect the bulk of Bayern’s Euro 2020 stars to be back at Sabener Strasse to go through their physical tests before resuming training (via @iMiaSanMia on Twitter). “Serge Gnabry completed two individual sessions. Maybe he can play 20 minutes on Wednesday (against Gladbach). The international players - except Thomas, Joshua and Manu — will have their tests on Monday and join training on Tuesday,” he explained.

Even with the returns of Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Niklas Sule, Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso, Benjamin Pavard, Kingsley Coman, and Robert Lewandowski, Nagelsmann will still be without Lucas Hernandez and Alphonso Davies with their respective injury problems. Both defenders are expected to miss at least the first round DFB-Pokal matchup against Bremer SV as well the Bundesliga opener against Borussia Monchengladbach, and depending on their progress, they could both potentially benefit from an extended rest and recovery period if they’re not fully fit by the September international break.

Nagelsmann also briefly touched on transfers. Bayern is currently dealing with a handful of contract negotiations for Coman, Goretzka, Sule, and Kimmich. As far as incoming business for this window, they’ve only signed Upamecano from RB Leipzig and Omar Richards from Reading FC. David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, and Javi Martinez have all left the club, too. Nagelsmann assured that Bayern, and the Bundesliga as a whole, is never going to see the level of lucrativeness as other league in Europe see as far as money spent of transfers. “We have differences with other countries: TV money, 50+1 rule. It’s true that other clubs have more money available for transfers. With or without the pandemic, we’re not ready to pay such fees. We’ll try to remain competitive with creative solutions.” he said.