It was a relatively quiet transfer deadline day in the Bundesliga, with few notable deals going down. But Bayern Munich made some noise as they were in the middle of the two biggest moves of the day.
First, they captured Manchester City full-back Joao Cancelo on loan then loaned out midfielder Marcel Sabitzer to Manchester United in their bid to shake out of a midseason slump.
Meanwhile, second-place Union Berlin seemingly completed a major coup by signing former Real Madrid star Isco on a free transfer, but the deal fell apart in the last minute.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps all of the key deals that went down on deadline day in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich capture Joao Cancelo on loan
By far the biggest move in the Bundesliga during this winter transfer window was Bayern Munich getting Portuguese international full-back Joao Cancelo on loan from Manchester City.
Aside from having Cancelo available for the remainder of the season, Bayern will also have an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer for €70 million.
Bayern made the move to acquire Cancelo amid injuries to defenders Noussair Mazraoui and Lucas Hernandez, as well as the dip in form of Benjamin Pavard, who has now been linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer.
They had also signed Dutch international defender Daley Blind on a free transfer for additional cover earlier in the winter and signed goalkeeper Yann Sommer amid Manuel Neuer’s season-ending leg injury.
Cancelo, who had been among the best full-backs in the Premier League over the last few seasons, had seen his playing time reduced in recent weeks, and Pep Guardiola was reportedly displeased with Cancelo’s attitude toward that change.
Guardiola has turned to teenager Rico Lewis, who has started each of the last three matches, with Nathan Ake playing at left-back or left-sided centre-back.
With his creativity, versatility, and impressive range of passing, Cancelo can bring a new dimension to a Bayern side that has seen their Bundesliga lead shrink to just a single point after three straight draws.
Marcel Sabitzer loaned out to Manchester United
After acquiring Cancelo on loan from Manchester City, Bayern Munich then loaned out midfielder Marcel Sabitzer to Manchester United after the injury to Christian Eriksen.
Sabitzer, who followed old RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann to Bayern in the 2021-22 season, has made 15 appearances this season with seven starts as he has been behind Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in the midfield pecking order.
Sabitzer’s departure now leaves Bayern a bit light in midfield, with wunderkind Jamal Musiala, Ryan Gravenberch and 17-year-old Paul Wanner remaining as the midfield options behind Kimmich and Goretzka.
Isco to Union Berlin deal breaks down late
High-flying Union Berlin thought they had scored a massive coup by signing former Real Madrid and Spanish international midfielder Isco on a free transfer.
However, the deal suddenly collapsed at the last minute after Isco passed his medical with the club.
Isco’s team sent out a statement on the situation, stating: “During the talks, we had to realise that our negotiating partner was no longer willing to move within the framework originally discussed.”
Union Berlin director of football Oliver Ruhnert responded: “We would have liked to see Isco with us, but we have our limits. These were exceeded today, contrary to previous agreements, which is why the transfer will not take place.”
The 30-year-old Isco became a free agent after leaving Sevilla in December after falling out with sporting director Monchi. He made just 12 appearances for the Rojiblancos, with no goals and two assists.
After starring for Real Madrid in the mid-2010s, Isco’s career has been in a steady decline in recent years. He made just 37 starts in his last four seasons for Los Blancos, scoring just five goals with six assists.
While they missed out on Isco, Urs Fischer’s side did land full-back Josip Juranovic, who impressed at World Cup 2023 with Croatia as they attempt to bolster their Bundesliga 2023 odds of claiming a Champions League spot.
Dortumd loan out Thorgan Hazard to PSV
Borussia Dortmund did not make any new signings on deadline day as their winter business concluded with the signing of right-back Julian Ryerson from Union Berlin and Belgian teenager Julien Duranville.
However, Dortmund did make one deal, sending winger Thorgan Hazard out on loan to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven.
The 29-year-old has been a fringe player in Edin Terzic’s side this season. He’s made 14 appearances in the Bundesliga, with just two starts, and has hardly created any Bundesliga 2023 highlights with no goals or assists.
Despite Hazard’s departure, Dortmund still have a wealth of options on the wing, with Julian Brandt, Karim Adeyemi, Gio Reyna, Donyell Malen, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens all capable of playing in that role.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
