A Happy Ending in Zaragoza? Bayern Flop Turns Into a Million-Dollar Deal After All | OneFootball

Bryan Zaragoza and FC Bayern—on the field, this partnership never turned into a success story. The Spaniard was unable to establish himself after his move to Munich and has since been loaned out several times. Financially, however, this chapter could end much more favorably for the German record champions than initially expected.

In the winter of 2024, Bayern brought Zaragoza from FC Granada to Säbener Straße. At the time, the Munich club invested around 17 million euros in the attacking player. However, the hoped-for breakthrough never materialized.

Instead, Zaragoza embarked on a veritable loan odyssey. After his stint with Bayern, he first went to CA Osasuna. Celta Vigo and AS Roma followed, before the 24-year-old was loaned out to Spain again this summer. At Espanyol Barcelona, Zaragoza is now finally expected to find more stability.

For Bayern, the numerous loan deals had at least one financial advantage.

Bayern has already raked in millions from Zaragoza

Through past loan deals alone, the record champions have already recouped a considerable portion of their original investment. According to BILD, Celta Vigo paid around two million euros for Zaragoza. AS Roma added another four million euros for the subsequent loan.

This means the Munich club has already earned six million euros in loan fees. Zaragoza itself—or rather, his development at Espanyol—could now prove decisive for the final financial outcome.

The Spanish club has apparently secured a buyout option of 8.5 million euros as part of the current loan. Should Espanyol exercise this option, additional millions would flow to Munich. Of particular interest: Reportedly, the buyout option turns into a mandatory purchase if Zaragoza plays a certain number of games.

Combined with the loan fees received so far, Bayern would thus total revenue of 14.5 million euros. Compared to the original transfer fee of around 17 million euros, the record champions would recoup a large portion of their investment.

Only a 2.5 million euro difference from the original transfer fee

Photo: IMAGO

Based purely on the transfer and loan fees mentioned, the difference would amount to just 2.5 million euros. Given Zaragoza’s performance on the field, that would be a thoroughly satisfactory outcome for Bayern.

After all, from a sporting perspective, the transfer has not paid off at all so far. Zaragoza never managed to establish himself as a key player in Munich. Meanwhile, the attacking player no longer features in Vincent Kompany’s plans either.

From the record champion’s perspective, it would be all the more important to bring this chapter to a proper close, at least from a financial standpoint.

For Zaragoza himself, staying in Barcelona permanently could also be the desired solution. Just recently, the Spaniard emphasized that, after so many club changes, he finally needs stability and feels particularly at home in Spain.