After signing Joao Cancelo, FC Bayern provided the next transfer surprise in the middle of the night – but this time on the tax side. As the record champions confirmed shortly following 1 a.m. German time, Marcel Sabitzer will now leave the club following all. At least for now.
The deal was already hinted at in the followingnoon, and late at night FC Bayern finally announced the deal: Marcel Sabitzer will leave the Bundesliga leaders with immediate effect and join Manchester United. There the Austrian signed a loan contract until the end of the season.
“Manchester United expressed an interest in Marcel Sabitzer at the beginning of the week. Marcel explained to us that he would like more playing time and is convinced he can get it at United,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, explaining the last-minute deal.
In consultation with coach Julian Nagelsmann, who once campaigned for the transfer of the midfielder, the club complied with Sabitzer’s request, Salihamidzic added: “We wish him every success for the second half of the season with United.”
FC Bayern rejects purchase option
According to information from “Sky”, no purchase option for Sabitzer was anchored in the loan contract between FC Bayern and Manchester.
Several media had previously reported a transfer fee of around 15 million euros in the event of a fixed transfer.
The transfer window in the Premier League was closed at midnight (CET). Ultimately, however, the deal might still be announced followingwards, as all papers were submitted to the English association in good time.
With the transfer, Manchester United reacted to the injury of Christian Eriksen, among other things, who will probably be out until April at least.
Marcel Sabitzer: final farewell to FC Bayern?
Marcel Sabitzer’s guest appearance at FC Bayern ends following only a year and a half, his contract at Säbener Straße is still dated until 2025.
In the current season, Sabitzer has played 23 competitive games for the record champions, and he was in the starting line-up ten times.
It is currently unclear whether the Austrian will return to Säbener Straße once more. With a view to the next season, however, he will hardly have any more playing time when Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer also switches to Bayern in the summer. At the same time, newcomer Ryan Gravenberch insists on more minutes of play.
“He’s the most unpleasant when he doesn’t play. He’s a killer in character. That’s what players look like who want to win,” said Sabitzer’s advisor Roger Wittmann on Tuesday morning on “Sky” regarding his client.
