Givairo Read was long considered one of the most exciting fullbacks on FC Bayern’s radar. But although Munich’s interest is said to have been concrete, club officials ultimately decided against a transfer. BILD soccer editor Christian Falk has revealed the background behind this decision.
The right back from Feyenoord Rotterdam has been linked to the German record champions several times in recent months. According to Falk, FC Bayern took a close look at the Dutch player but deliberately chose not to make a move during the winter transfer window.
As Falk reports, the defender’s injury concerns played a decisive role in the decision. Bayern did not want to take any financial risks as long as there was still uncertainty about Read’s physical condition.
There was another factor at play: In Munich, officials were aware that FC Bayern would generally have to pay significantly higher transfer fees than many other clubs during negotiations.
Rather than investing a large sum in an injury-prone player, club officials decided to rely on their existing options for the time being. Konrad Laimer, in particular, impressed last season with strong performances as a right-back, relieving the club officials of immediate pressure to act.
Brown was given internal priority
Instead of going with Read, FC Bayern focused on Nathaniel Brown. The Munich club ultimately dug deep into their pockets for the German national team player and signed the left back from Eintracht Frankfurt.
According to Falk, the decision was deliberately made in Brown’s favor. During his introduction, Max Eberl also emphasized that the 23-year-old could not only play both fullback positions but was also an option in central midfield. This flexibility made Brown particularly valuable to the club.
Following his strong performances at the World Cup, Bayern’s management feels even more confident in their decision. At the same time, signing the German international also meant there was no longer any budget available for another high-priced fullback like Read.
The Dutch player therefore remains on the transfer market and, according to Falk, could instead make the move to the Premier League. While Bayern Munich did have a general interest in the Feyenoord player, financial and sporting reasons ultimately ruled out a transfer.