The Significance of Mario Gotze’s Transfer to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund

BBC Sport has reported that Bayern Munich are primed to make a huge splash before the transfer window after they agreed to a €37 million transfer for Borussia Dortmund superstar Mario Gotze. The German will arrive in Munich on July 1, and his signing represents the first big transfer of the Pep Guardiola era.

Gotze has been compared to Lionel Messi, who flourished under Guardiola’s “false nine” system, and his signing means the manager will be looking to implement his favored formation on Bayern Munich. Gotze isn’t nearly as prolific a goal-scorer as Messi, but in a recent qualifier Germany coach Joachim Low employed a similar formation with Gotze as the player who would assume the position that paralleled most to that of the striker. He played well, scoring once while linking up well with teammates Thomas Muller and Marco Reus.

The 20-year old star has been phenomenal this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 9 assists in 23 starts and five substitute appearances for Dortmund in the Bundesliga, as well as another four goals in four appearances in the German cup competition and two goals in nine appearances in the UEFA Champions League.

Gotze checks all the boxes: he’s an incredible passer who is able to carve open the defense with an incisive cross or through ball; a very skilled dribbler and will be regularly seen skipping past opposing defenders; and a great passer and crosser of the ball. He’s not renowned for his finishing ability, but when given the chance Gotze is very capable of putting the ball in the back of the net.

Bayern Munich are getting one of the best players of his generation as only Eden Hazard and Neymar have received as much acclaim as the German midfielder. While Arjen Robben’s future remains uncertain after making just nine starts this season, Die Bayern will be adding Gotze to an offensive contingent that includes Mario Gomez, Mario Mandzukic, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Xherdan Shaqiri, Claudio Pizarro and Franck Ribery. One would be hard pressed to find a better attacking midfield/striker corps in the world. Not only is it a huge coup for the German outfit, but the move is significantly detrimental for Dortmund, as Bayern’s biggest rivals.

Gotze’s arrival means that one of the champion’s talented midfielders will likely be sold, along with one of their strikers. If Guardiola does plan on implementing his “false nine” system, it would seem wasteful to keep Claudio Pizarro, Mario Mandzukic and Mario Gomez. The latter could be the odd man out as Mandzukic’s fantastic form this season would keep him in the side and Gomez would likely fetch the most money in the transfer market, already being linked with top clubs such as Chelsea and Juventus.

Gotze’s move away from Dortmund could mark the first of a mass exodus of talent out of the Westfalenstadion. Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski have been constantly linked with Manchester United. And, while Hummels seems more likely to stay than go, Lewandowski looks to already have one foot out the door.

The transfer fees that they’ll receive for both Gotze and Lewandowski should total around €60 million when you figure Lewandowski could be sold for around €20 million, so Jurgen Klopp will be given the funds to make up for the losses of arguably his two best players. With Edin Dzeko rumored to be leaving Manchester City and with the Bosnian keen on moving back to Germany, where he made a name for himself at Wolfsburg, Dortmund could be the best possible landing spot for the tall striker.

Dortmund are still a desirable club as they have a great nucleus of talent, a fantastic manager and are ensured of Champions League football next season. The Gotze transfer and impending Lewandowski move are both huge setbacks for the club, but with the money they will be receiving Klopp will have the opportunity to replace his superstars with other talented footballers.

While Dortmund will be knocked down a few pegs, Bayern have further cemented themselves as one of Europe’s top three clubs. They have one of the most balanced squads in the world with Manuel Neuer, Philipp Lahm, Dante, Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Franck Ribery, Toni Kroos, Arjen Robben and Mario Mandzukic.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona are perhaps considered to be better teams in terms of popular opinion. But don’t sleep on Bayern Munich. They absolutely dominated the Bundesliga — one of the best leagues in world football — this season and with the introduction of Guardiola as manager for next season the club could be on the verge of European dominance.