Transfer window: What every Bundesliga club needs in January

With the transfer window now open, theScore takes a look at where each Bundesliga side could strengthen, and provides the names of players who could sort out their respective voids.

FC Augsburg

Problem area: Attack

The first half of the Bundesliga campaign could have been a disaster for Augsburg. Instead, thanks to some gritty defensive displays, the club’s attacking ineptitude hasn’t prevented the club from getting to within punching distance of reaching the top half of the table.

In order to break through and sustain a place in the top 10, however, scouring the market for a striker is vital, especially after finishing with a goal total (13) that’s either been matched or surpassed by the league’s top two scorers, respectively.

Team/Player	Goals
FC Augsburg	13
Anthony Modeste	13
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang	16

Bayer Leverkusen

Problem area: Between the sticks

Success in Europe hasn’t translated over to the Bundesliga for a Bayer Leverkusen outfit sitting both eight points away from a Champions League spot and a place in the drop zone.

It’s easy to pin the blame for Bayer Leverkusen’s inconsistency on its underachieving forwards, but converting goals has been rarer than watching Bernd Leno pick the ball out of his own net through 16 games. While there’s a number of factors in play, perhaps its time to search for alternative options to give the German international a breather whenever the goals pile up, and blaming the back line isn’t an option.

Bayern Munich

Problem area: Attacking depth

Considering the wealth of talent Bayern Munich already employs, nitpicking might spring to mind when identifying transfer needs for one of the deepest squads in the world. Yet, the addition of another forward could relieve any pressure that a possible injury to Robert Lewandowski would create.

Although Thomas Muller is capable of towing the line, another, true centre forward could dispel concerns if the prolific Polish forward went down with a knock, or through the odd scoring slump.

Borussia Dortmund

Problem area: Defence

Despite setting a Champions League record for goals during the group stage (21), Borussia Dortmund’s thrilling 8-4 triumph over Legia Warszawa was a microcosm of the team’s domestic campaign. Dortmund’s knack for finding the back of the net has been offset by its struggles in the defensive third after conceding the most goals (19) among the top seven Bundesliga teams.

Borussia Monchengladbach

Problem area: Defensive midfield

A change of manager has yet to produce the turnaround Borussia Monchengladbach enjoyed last season under Andre Schubert. Instead, it’s been an absolute mess since his dismissal.

Limping into the winter break would be the PG-13 way of describing Gladbach’s dreadful final two months of 2016. With just one win from its last eight league matches, there’s no lack of areas of concern that will need to be addressed in the transfer market in order to avoid sinking lower in the standings.

Darmstadt

Problem area(s): Attack and defence

Defence has to be the priority heading into January, but that’s far from the only area Darmstadt needs to address if the club hopes to survive a second consecutive season in Germany’s top flight. Even if the club manages to address its deficiencies on paper, Darmstadt – who sits 10 points off last season’s pace at the same point in the season – could struggle to even climb into the final play-off position to avoid relegation.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Problem area: Defensive depth

Whether it’s another loan deal or a permanent transfer, Eintracht Frankfurt needs to prepare for life without Jesus Vallejo with reports suggesting the on-loan defender is set for a return to Real Madrid after being pegged as the first choice to possibly replace Pepe. Otherwise, the team is setup nicely to continue flirting with a place in Europe.

SC Freiburg

Problem area: Defence

The struggle away from home is real. Fortunately for Freiburg, performances at the Schwarzwald-Stadion have kept the promoted side well away from talks of relegation. Instead, additions should be the focus as the team looks to continue on the path RB Leipzig paved for promoted sides and, possibly, achieve goals few thought possible in the summer.

Hamburger SV

Problem area(s): Defence and between the sticks

In all seriousness, things could be worse for Hamburger after failing to register a victory until Matchday 13. Markus Gisdol’s men – who sit in the final relegation spot in the table – produced a strong finish to end the first half, but, in order to mount a second-half charge, addressing defensive faults and rummaging for replacements between the pipes will be paramount.

Hertha Berlin

Problem area: Defensive depth

Despite boasting one of the Bundesliga’s best goals against records, defensive reinforcements could be on their way to Hertha Berlin if the club wants to maintain its place in the top three. Hertha may be in the market for a centre-back as questions surround John Brooks after he went down with a knock ahead of the winter break.

Hoffenheim

Problem area: Creative midfield

Few can blame Hoffenheim for placing a massive €25-million price tag on its prized defender Niklas Sule. However, considering that Bayern Munich has been put off by the Hoffenheim’s fee for the 21-year-old, knocking the price down could convince the Bavarians to go ahead with the transfer and provide Die Kraichgauer with the necessary funds to invest in a creative midfielder.

FC Ingolstadt

Problem area(s): Attack and defence

Ingolstadt’s sophomore season is hardly showing signs of coming close to replicating the organized defensive display that led the team to a solid mid-table finish. What was once a point of pride, the home support has been let down at both ends of the park during a brutal run that saw Ingolstadt without a win at the Audi Sportpark until December. At this point, Ingostadt’s dire situation is going to take more than a month to repair on the open market.

FC Koln

Problem area: Central midfield

With its sights set on securing a place in Europe next season, FC Koln – the only German side to come away with points after facing leaders Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig – could benefit by complementing its reliable defence and attack with a gifted midfielder capable of orchestrating the play up the middle and providing a perfect bridge to the club’s potent attack, which features one of the Bundesliga’s hottest forwards, Anthony Modeste.

RB Leipzig

Problem area: Midfield depth

Chemistry and continuity has been at the root of RB Leipzig’s transformation into legitimate title contenders. Only a mad man would mess with the cast of players that have continued to help the club play beyond anyone’s expectations thus far. But the Bundesliga debutants could be playing with fire.

With the starting XI rarely changing from week to week, it’s hard to imagine Leipzig will continue to avoid serious injuries. The loss of players such as Timo Werner, Emil Forsberg, and Naby Keita could be devastating for a team that would have to rely on unproven players who would benefit from increased rotations in the starting squad.

Mainz

Problem area: Defence

After setting a club record in Germany’s top flight by conceding 30 goals through 16 matches, it’s safe to say Mainz is bleeding goals. Its play in the final third has been overshadowed by a truly dreadful back line that’s in desperate need of a fresh look once the winter transfer period begins.

Schalke

Problem area(s): Attack and creative midfield

After recovering from its worst start to a Bundesliga season, Schalke’s goal will undoubtedly be to continue to improve and possibly scour the market for upgrades. Most notably, the club may look to add attacking depth to make up for the loss of Breel Embolo after the 19-year-old summer signing went down with serious ankle injury in October.

Werder Bremen

Problem area: Loads of defensive help

It doesn’t get worse than Werder Bremen’s defensive performances. Leading the league with 34 goals against, Bremen narrowly sits above relegation among a group teams accustom to battling for the top six.

Wolfsburg

Problem area: Attack

The winter break couldn’t have come at a better time. Wolfsburg will be desperate to address several needs, with most of its efforts concentrated on defence. However, a possible exodus could offset any of Wolfsberg’s efforts to break free from the bottom three.