Club World Cup one reason: Bayern are particularly keen on free agents | OneFootball

Transfer-free players seem to be of particular interest to FC Bayern at the moment. One reason for this is probably the Club World Cup last summer.

FC Bayern is focusing its transfer strategy for 2026 more strongly on free agents – and this has a clear economic background. According to Sport BILD, the considerations are directly linked to the finances of the past season.

The German record champions recently reported a consolidated pre-tax profit of 42.5 million euros – a remarkable figure, but one that only came about because the additional income from the Club World Cup in the summer flowed in full into the balance sheet up to the end of June. This effect will not be present in the coming year.

Because the club will not be able to benefit from a Club World Cup again in the summer of 2026, an important unscheduled block of income will no longer be available. Internally, therefore, the calculations are sober – and that is precisely what makes transfer-free players particularly attractive.

Vlahovic, Guéhi or Konaté: many Bayern candidates are free agents

Players such as Marc Guéhi or Ibrahima Konaté, whose contracts could expire in the summer, are therefore in focus. The same applies to attackers such as Dusan Vlahovic, who will also be an issue if the possibility of a transfer on a free transfer arises. For Bayern, this model means lower transfer costs, more flexibility and the opportunity to remain internationally competitive despite restrained spending.

photo: IMAGO

While the financial leeway remains solid, Munich are aware that the coming summer will be more challenging without Club World Cup revenues, which is why the club is increasingly pursuing those players who would be available without a transfer fee – an approach that is likely to play a major role in Munich’s upcoming transfer efforts, both in sporting and economic terms.