The Bundesliga summer transfer window of 2024 saw a flurry of activity as clubs sought to bolster their squads ahead of the new season.
From blockbuster signings to strategic acquisitions, the transfer window has seen a host of movements that could reshape the fortunes of several clubs.
Read on as we look at crucial deals that could define the 2024/25 Bundesliga season and beyond.
Waldemar Anton – VfB Stuttgart to Borussia Dortmund – €22.5m
Borussia Dortmund let captain Mats Hummels go this summer and needed to replace that leadership in the backline. They turned to Waldermar Anton, one of the standout defenders in the Bundesliga last term.
The 28-year-old Bundesliga stalwart played a pivotal role as Stuttgart clinched Champions League football after finishing second behind Bayer Leverkusen.
Anton was a titan at the back for Die Schwaben, helping them keep nine clean sheets in 33 appearances while providing three assists. The Uzbekistan-born centre-half won 60% of his duels, registering 1.2 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per 90.
Anton, like Hummels, is sublime on the ball, recording 5.48 progressive passes and 1.09 progressive carries per game. His swashbuckling runs from defence are a staple of his game.
Anton has seamlessly slotted into Nuri Sahin’s 3-4-2-1 backline alongside Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule, with Gregor Kobel between the sticks.
The rearguard has not shipped any goal after two league games, keeping shut-outs versus Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen in the opening rounds. The former Hannover 96 defender has been faultless.
Dortmund’s strength at the back should give the team a platform to shine as they bid to bounce back from a topsy-turvy campaign that saw them finish fifth in the Bundesliga yet reach the final of the Champions League.
It promises to be an exciting campaign for Der BVB, and fans have already begun picking up their Borussia Dortmund tickets from Seatsnet.com.
Joao Palhinha – Fulham to Bayern Munich – €51 million
Bayern Munich never adeptly replaced Javi Martinez following his departure to Qatar in 2021 after nine years of service to the Bavarians. The club desperately needed a sitting midfielder to screen the defence and break up the opposition attack but never signed one.
While Joshua Kimmich had excelled in that role, they needed someone with better positional discipline to give the German international the licence to roam or play at right-back.
Bayern surprisingly bungled a deal for Joao Palhinha last summer but thankfully made no mistake this time. The Portuguese midfielder will be tasked with protecting the back four and giving Bayern more bite in the centre.
It is a role Palhinha has excelled in at Sporting CP and Fulham. He has averaged 4.62 tackles per 90 since the 2022/23 season – no one in Europe’s top seven leagues has more. He has recorded more tackles than any other Premier League player since arriving in West London.
Bayern have missed an anchorman of his ilk and will be glad they could secure one of the best in the business to plug their porous centre.
Ermedin Demirovic – Augsburg to Stuttgart – €21m
Former Augsburg captain Ermedin Demirovic has been one of the underrated stars of the Bundesliga over the years. His numbers are not eye-catching, but his overall play makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in the German top flight.
After struggling at RB Leipzig, Alaves, and Frieburg, the Bosnian striker found the perfect landing spot in Augsburg and became a vital cog for the club.
The 26-year-old bagged eight goals and four assists in 2022/23. Former head coach Enrico Maaßen appreciated his leadership skills and appointed him captain in August 2023.
Maaßen left the Bavarian club staring relegation in the eye. However, Jess Thorup arrived and stabilised things with the help of his talisman.
Augsburg and Demirovic went from strength to strength under the new manager. Their captain spearheaded their survival with 15 goals and nine assists.
Demirovic replaces Serhou Guirassy, who left Stuttgart for Borussia Dortmund after netting 28 Bundesliga goals last term. Guirassy formed a lethal partnership with Deniz Undav in Sebastian Hoeness’ acclaimed system, and Demirovic will look to replicate that impact.
Demirovic is already delivering the goods. He notched a goal on his Bundesliga debut in the loss to Freiburg before scoring and assisting in the DFB Pokal win over Munster. He will hope to continue that rich vein of form for the rest of the season.
Eren Dinkci – Werder Bremen to Freiburg – €5m
Werder Bremen inexplicably agreed to sell promising winger Eren Dinkci to Freiburg for a paltry €5m, and the deal could return to haunt them.
Dinkci is coming off an exciting campaign with Heidenheim. The 22-year-old helped the Bundesliga newcomers stay in the top flight and finish comfortably in mid-table with ten goals and four assists (seven big chances created) while making 1.1 key passes per game.
The German youth international is a rapid winger who causes problems for just about any defence in the division. He recorded a top speed of 36.41 kilometres per hour (22.62 mph) last term, earning the title of Bundesliga’s fastest player, along with Alphonso Davies.
Vincenzo Grifo, Ritsu Doan, and Dinkci will form one fearsome attacking trident behind Junior Adamu as they bid to qualify for one of the European tournaments this term.
Martin Terrier – Rennes to Bayer Leverkusen – €20m
Bayer Leverkusen signed Martin Terrier from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes upon his return from a long-term injury in a deal that surprised many. He reportedly wanted Champions League football and angled for a move.
The Frenchman enjoyed a stunning 2021/22 campaign, bagging 21 goals and three assists in 37 league outings. He started the following season in equally superb form with nine goals and four assists from 16 games before a long-term injury cut short his campaign.
Terrier returned to action in the middle of last season and showed he still had it in him, registering seven goals and three assists in 19 Ligue 1 starts.
However, Rennes chose to cash in on the left-winger/attacking midfielder/false nine, who was agitating for a move.
Terrier joined Bundesliga and DFB Pokal winners Leverkusen to bolster their ranks, replacing Adam Hlozek (who joined TSG Hoffenheim on loan for the season). He can deputise for Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick or play in one of the attacking positions behind them.
Terrier is a fantastic forward who gives Xabi Alonso’s side another potent weapon in attack. He is an intelligent player with ruthless finishing and can play a massive role as Die Werkself defend their Meisterschale.
