Transfer to Munich: Bayern’s plans for top talent Virgilio Olaya | OneFootball

FC Bayern are on the verge of signing Virgilio Olaya, with the 17-year-old set to gain match practice in Europe before moving to Munich.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Grasshopper Club Zurich are among the possible destinations for a loan of the Ecuadorian central defender. Bayern are currently examining several options to give the highly talented right-back direct playing time at a high level after signing him. Other clubs within Europe are also being discussed.

Romano had already announced on Monday that a verbal agreement had been reached between FC Bayern, SD Aucas and Olaya. The defensive player’s contract is set to run from his 18th birthday in February 2026 and is dated until 2030. The deal has not yet been officially confirmed, but preparations have long been in full swing internally. Olaya is regarded as a physically robust centre-back with a good overview of the game, although he is said to still have development potential in terms of building up play.

Hoeneß with criticism of existing rules

photo: SD Aucas

As Olaya is not eligible to play in the regional league or in the youth system for the time being, alternative options are required. Grasshopper Club Zürich, where two Bayern players, Lovro Zvonarek and Jonathan Asp Jensen, are already on loan, are seen as an obvious solution. A loan deal with another club from the Red & Gold network around Los Angeles FC is also possible. The aim is to challenge Olaya at a high competitive level without throwing him straight into the professional squad.

Uli Hoeneß recently voiced clear criticism of the current rules: „One major problem is that we can’t let an 18-year-old South American play in our second team because the laws don’t allow it. That’s ridiculous.“

It remains to be seen where exactly Olaya will take his first steps in Europe, but the transfer is drawing ever closer and with it a clear development plan for the up-and-coming talent.