Talent, value and the return of games marks the Bundesliga out as the summer’s best transfer market

Germany’s top flight was already due to be a major transfer hub in the next window, but that is expected to become more pronounced following Covid-19

Kai Havertz, Jadon Sancho and Timo Werner (Getty)

The Bundesliga is primed to be a core source of player trades this summer due to it being seen as “the most practical market” while clubs navigate the financial damage caused by coronavirus.

Players from Germany’s top division were already in high demand before the global pandemic, with Jadon Sancho, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Dayot Upamecano just a few of the talents that have been extensively assessed and pursued by the continent’s powerhouses.

The economic effects of the crisis have forced clubs to be more considered about their recruitment and a league that is renowned for developing young players, offering them a wealth of experience early and not generally being prohibitive with valuations will become the focal point of business.

The Bundesliga’s return to action this weekend, with all their remaining games of the season televised live on BT Sport, will also mark it out as a more attractive shop window.

“Scouting since the suspension of matches has been limited to past performances by video, which helps to refine analysis but it doesn’t further what you know,” a Premier League recruitment staffer told The Independent.

“The risk with signings is now higher than ever, not only in a financial sense, but also an information perspective. You are not entirely sure what a player’s physical condition is given the months without action and how their bodies will react to matches.

“The Bundesliga was already a popular pool before coronavirus, because of the quality of younger players being offered regular game time and being allowed to build experience. You have guys that are around 22 with over a century of appearances in a major, fast-paced league.

“With the games returning and on TV from this weekend, the eyes of all scouts will be on it and recruitment departments will have crucial up-to-date info.

“There is a lot of value in Germany too. If you ignore Ousmane Dembele’s cost, which skyrocketed only because of Neymar’s transfer, Kevin De Bruyne was their record outgoing at €75million and he’s the best player in England.

“There are obvious names like Sancho, who will still be pricey even though his valuation will be affected by the crisis, but there are players like Christopher Nkunku at Leipzig and Schalke’s Suat Serdar who will generate interest.

“There tends to be lower release clauses in Germany and there are some interesting free agent options like Mario Gotze.

"I expect European clubs to do a lot of business in the Bundesliga because it’s the most practical market.

“We also have to keep in mind the impact Brexit will have on transfers is still unclear and this could be the last opportunity for English teams to maximise signings from the other leagues."

Manchester United are Sancho’s primary suitors, but they have also been one several clubs - Real Madrid and Arsenal included - that have done due diligence on Upamecano.

The Leipzig defender, regarded as the world’s finest centre-backs in his age group, is currently under contract until 2021, with a €60m buyout clause.

While the club’s sporting director Markus Krosche and the 21-year-old’s agent, Volker Struth, believe such a sum is implausible this summer, enquiries over Upamecano have not abated.

Anfield remains Werner’s destination of choice if he is to depart the Bundesliga, while Bayer Leverkusen were quoting around €100m for Havertz prior to the global crisis and insist they will not expect a cut-price deal.

Gotze has been of particular interest to Serie A clubs, but Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has encouraged Premier League sides to pursue the 27-year-old.

Another intriguing Bundesliga-related transfer will be what happens with Philippe Coutinho. Bayern Munich are not expected to make his loan from Barcelona permanent, while the Catalans may have to begrudgingly keep him at Camp Nou given all the unknowns and his restrictive salary and transfer cost.