Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Bryan Zaragoza has given the green light to a move to Espanyol Barcelona. The Spanish top-flight club have already reached an agreement with the winger.
Bayern Munich still need to agree the terms. A loan with a subsequent option to buy is under discussion. The report does not mention exact figures for the possible transfer. In principle, though, it would presumably be a model the German record champions would be comfortable with. Zaragoza is still under contract until 2029, but he has been sidelined for quite some time.
As sporting director Max Eberl has repeatedly stressed in recent days, coach Vincent Kompany has no use whatsoever for the 24-year-old. Bayern have several high-quality wide options in Luis Diaz, Michael Olise, Lennart Karl and Serge Gnabry. Returning loanee Arijon Ibrahimovic, who is at least planned as a rotation player for the first half of the season, and new signing Ismael Saibari can also operate on the wing. Further alternatives are available from the youth ranks, including Wisdom Mike and Tim Binder.
Bayern Munich: Why has Bryan Zaragoza not made the grade?
Bayern signed Zaragoza from Granada CF at the start of 2024 after bringing forward the transfer originally planned for the summer because of injury concerns. The transfer fee at the time is said to have been around €17 million. Since then, though, the 24-year-old has made only seven competitive appearances in a Bayern shirt and failed to register a goal involvement. Alongside the language barrier, an allegedly mixed relationship with then coach Thomas Tuchel is also said to have played a part in why he received hardly any playing time.
Espanyol Barcelona would be Zaragoza's fourth loan spell during his Bayern time. He was most recently loaned to Roma, having previously spent time at CA Osasuna and Celta Vigo. Zaragoza is said, however, to have insisted on a return to Spain, where he also performed significantly better in the past than he did in the second half of last season in Italy.
Getty ImagesBayern Munich: Which players are still set to leave?
Zaragoza made only six appearances for the Romans, also because of a knee injury in March. The move had been preceded by the termination of the loan deal with Celta Vigo, where he was even a regular starter in the league and Europa League. Consequently, the Giallorossi chose not to trigger the €13 million purchase option and thereby even accepted an alleged penalty payment of €500,000 previously agreed with Bayern.
Alongside Zaragoza, Bayern are also looking for takers for Sacha Boey and Joao Palhinha. The latter is said to be on the verge of a move to Benfica Lisbon. In terms of arrivals, however, nothing more will happen after the signings of Nathaniel Brown and Saibari.