The name Fisnik Asllani has been cropping up around FC Bayern for months now. The TSG Hoffenheim attacking player came back into focus at the latest after his strong performance against the record champions. But this game of all games is likely to have led less to a rethink internally than to a confirmation of the previous assessment
Asllani played a key role in Hoffenheim’s 5-1 defeat in Munich. The 23-year-old anticipated a chip ball from Manuel Neuer, intercepted it with great body control and laid it off perfectly for Andrej Kramarić. A scene that perfectly reflected his technical quality, intelligence and overview – attributes that are also registered at Säbener Straße
Bayern scouts impressed – but with limitations
Asllani has reportedly been on Munich’s internal watch lists since last autumn. His development in Hoffenheim has been remarkable, with six goals and six assists this season underlining his influence. Other top clubs have also long since taken an interest. Borussia Dortmund are watching the Kosovan just as closely. According to Sky, concrete offers have already been received from England this winter
Asllani could leave TSG next summer for between 25 and 29 million euros due to a contractually fixed exit clause. In purely economic terms, the attacker would therefore be attractive to many clubs. However, it is not only the price that counts at FC Bayern, but above all the fit with the sporting concept
As kicker now reports, Bayern have made their internal decision. Although those responsible appreciate Asllani’s technique, his clean ball handling and his goal-scoring instinct, they ultimately see a decisive deficit. After extensive scouting, the attacking player is considered too slow for Munich’s requirement profile
Speed as a knockout criterion under Kompany
A look at the figures supports this assessment. Asllani’s measured top speed is 31.8 km/h – a value that is not sufficient in modern top-flight soccer, especially at FC Bayern under Vincent Kompany. The Belgian’s playing idea consistently focuses on intensity, dynamism and pace in all offensive lines. Enormous speed is required in the switching game and in pressing, especially in the forward positions
In this context, Asllani appears to be only partially suitable despite his class as a player. For FC Bayern, pace is no longer a bonus, but a basic requirement. Players such as Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz embody precisely this profile – technically strong, but at the same time explosive and strong on the run
As a result, it is now much less likely that Asllani will end up in Munich. His performance against Bayern may have been another advertisement on his own behalf, but it did nothing to change the fundamental assessment of the squad planners. For other clubs who are less focused on speed or see other roles for him, the Hoffenheim man nevertheless remains highly interesting.