- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Bayern Munich have discussed potential targets with Ralf Rangnick and they include two players he wanted to take to Manchester United.
The 65-year-old is close to agreeing terms with Bayern to take charge following this summer’s European Championships where he will lead Austria into the finals.
Thomas Tuchel, who is currently at the helm of the German giants, is set to leave at the end of the season after losing the Bundesliga title to Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen – Bayern are still in the Champions League after knocking out Arsenal.
Ralf Rangnick, who has been on the international scene since 2022, was last in club management when he was in charge of Manchester United on an interim basis for six months during the 2021-22 Premier League season.
The German ended up leaving during that summer after a planned consultancy role was thrown out of the window – Erik ten Hag proceeded to follow in his footsteps.
The former RB Leipzig supremo has emerged as Bayern’s number-one choice following their failure to land Alonso and Julian Nageslmann.
Jeremie Frimpong and Frenkie de Jong
Rangnick is now discussing the project and he wants to have some input into potential incomings and HITC sources have suggested that that he has put forward two players he likes.
As it happens, they are two players that Bayern already like and are on their radar – they are Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong and Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong – both of whom could very well move this summer.
For several transfer windows, de Jong was a name heavily linked with Manchester United, but a move didn’t transpire.
And now, the Dutch midfielder’s current deal at the Non Camp expires in 2026, with his current manager Xavi Hernandez deciding to stay after previously confirming that he was going to leave in the summer.
Whilst Frimpong is now one of the most highly sought-after fullbacks in European football after playing a key role in Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga title.
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