Bayern's €50 million gamble on Ismael Saibari already raises concerns

Ismael Saibari made the move from PSV to Bayern Munich this summer, with the German giant paying at least 50 million euros for the Moroccan international. The transfer, a significant step up, has so far proved difficult to settle in the first months.

Why Bayern wanted Saibari

Bayern Munich, after the summer departure of Anthony Gordon to FC Barcelona, were looking for a new left winger. The club saw in Saibari, who played as an attacking midfielder at PSV, a suitable replacement and often positioned him on the left side. The transfer was also marked by a record sum of at least 50 million euros flowing to the Eindhoven side, an amount that even Mounir Boualin, who was still at PSV at the time, highlighted.

In the Champions League‑evening against Arsenal (2‑2) Saibari again received the familiar number‑10 role, but he made no decisive contribution. A week earlier Bayern had beaten RB Leipzig 6‑1, with Saibari’s input, according to the club, being nil. This fluctuating usage underscored the difficulty he has in adapting to the German top level.

Criticism from the press

Süddeutsche Zeitung labelled the Moroccan international as ‘the problem child of Bayern Munich’ and criticised his lack of impact, even in the 6‑1 victory over Leipzig. Sport.de went further, writing that Saibari’s play increasingly faded into the background while his teammates performed better. The strangest thing about the whole transfer saga, according to the press, was that Bayern approached PSV for a left winger, a position Saibari only received later. Our, now departed, transfer Mounir Boualin had already been heavily involved in the negotiations at the start of the summer.

After eleven matches in the Bundesliga, Saibari has two goals and two assists to his name, figures far below his productivity at PSV. These statistics illustrate the challenge he faces in matching the form of his former club.

For Bayern this means the club still has to decide whether Saibari will receive enough playing time to develop. For the 22‑year‑old Moroccan international it is crucial to seize the opportunity now, so he can fulfil his promise both at the club and in the national team.