For weeks, FC Bayern has been working on signing Bara Ndiaye to a permanent contract. Although the 18-year-old has been training with the Munich team and playing in preseason matches, the transfer has not yet been officially confirmed. Sports director Max Eberl has now explained what’s still holding things up—and made it clear that the deal is nearing completion.
Bara Ndiaye is one of the young players who has consistently caught the eye during FC Bayern’s current summer preseason. The Senegalese player has already had the chance to showcase his skills in several friendly matches, leaving a promising impression.
For head coach Vincent Kompany, the midfielder has long been a serious option for the first team. Ndiaye was already on loan to Munich last season and gained his first experience with the pros during the final stretch of the campaign. His development ultimately convinced club officials to sign him to a permanent contract.
Eberl Explains Delay in the Ndiaye Deal
It is curious, however, that Ndiaye’s loan contract actually expired at the end of June. Nevertheless, the 18-year-old continues to participate in preseason training with the German record champions as usual and even traveled with the team to Asia.
This is made possible by his close ties to his former club, Gambinos Stars. The club’s officials have granted the youngster permission to do so while the final formalities of the transfer are being worked out behind the scenes.
On Friday, ahead of the friendly against Aston Villa, sporting director Max Eberl made it clear that there are no fundamental issues with the signing. “It’s because we need to exchange the documents. Once they’re signed, we’ll make an official announcement,” explained the 52-year-old.
Kompany is already planning to include Ndiaye
This seems to make it definitively clear: The Ndiaye transfer is now just a matter of formalities. As soon as the necessary exchange of documents is complete and all signatures are in place, FC Bayern can officially announce the transfer.
On the field, the Senegalese player is already being treated like a Bayern player anyway. Kompany is considered a supporter of the young talent and is said to have spoken out early on in favor of signing him permanently.
The 18-year-old also fits perfectly into Munich’s new squad strategy. Eberl recently explained that he intends to work with a comparatively small group of established professionals in the future and fill the remaining spots specifically with young players.
Ndiaye could play a role as early as next season. In central midfield, Kompany has several established options in Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Tom Bischof. Behind them, the Senegalese player is to be carefully developed and given opportunities to prove himself.