Ismael Saibari’s transfer to FC Bayern is on the verge of being finalized. Following the agreement with PSV Eindhoven, attention is now turning to the Moroccan’s role on the field. One thing is clear: Vincent Kompany has a concrete plan for his top target.
FC Bayern has made a breakthrough with Ismael Saibari. After the Munich club had already agreed to a long-term contract with the player some time ago, an agreement with PSV Eindhoven has now also been reached.
According to consistent media reports, Bayern will pay a base transfer fee of 50 million euros. With bonus payments, the total package could rise to as much as 55 million euros.
The medical exam is scheduled to take place in the coming days during the ongoing World Cup in the U.S. Following that, Saibari will sign a contract with the German record champions that runs through 2031.
Kompany is personally driving the transfer forward
What is particularly interesting is the backstory behind the transfer.
Originally, Bayern were looking for another winger for the left flank. Anthony Gordon was long considered the ideal solution, before the Englishman decided against a move to Munich.
As a result, Saibari came into sharper focus. Unlike Gordon, however, the 25-year-old is not expected to be a classic winger but rather to take on a significantly more flexible role in the attacking lineup.
According to Sky, Saibari is considered Vincent Kompany’s top choice. The Bayern coach is said to have been a key driving force behind the transfer internally and sees the Moroccan as a player whose profile has been missing from the squad so far.
The number 10 position as his main role
According to reports, Kompany primarily plans to deploy Saibari in the central attacking midfield position.
This gives FC Bayern an additional option behind Harry Kane. Especially given the physical strain on Jamal Musiala and the high number of matches in the coming years, the Munich club wanted to broaden their creative options.
Saibari brings the ideal qualities for this role. The attacking player combines technical skill with dynamism, finishing ability, and a high work rate in defensive situations.
At PSV Eindhoven last season, he was primarily deployed as an attacking midfielder and was one of the key figures in the team’s attacking play.
Also planned as a backup for Kane
His versatility makes Saibari particularly valuable to Bayern.
According to Sky, the Moroccan could be deployed with similar flexibility to Serge Gnabry recently. In addition to the number 10 position, he is also an option for both wings as well as an alternative in the center of the attack.
Especially following the departure of Nicolas Jackson, the Munich club is looking for additional options behind Harry Kane. Saibari could take on this role, at least in certain situations.
He is currently demonstrating at the World Cup that he can also function as a center forward. In the 1-1 draw against Brazil, the 25-year-old started as the central striker and scored the opening goal for Morocco with a spectacular chip shot.
More flexibility for Bayern’s offense
With the signing of Saibari, FC Bayern gains one thing above all else: versatility.
The Moroccan can play multiple attacking positions at a high level and opens up additional tactical possibilities for Kompany. This flexibility is said to have been one of the main reasons why the Munich club decided to make the transfer despite the high transfer fee.
The club’s management believes Saibari is capable of immediately playing an important role in the squad. While he won’t automatically arrive in Munich as a starter, internally he is viewed as a player who will regularly see playing time in multiple positions and significantly invigorate the competition for spots.
For Vincent Kompany, this fulfills a key transfer wish. And for Ismael Saibari, his time at FC Bayern marks the biggest challenge of his career so far.