Several Bundesliga clubs have also been busy during the recently concluded winter transfer window, as they’ve made their flurry of moves. But surprisingly, that isn’t the case for table leaders Bayern Munich. Besides loaning Mathys Tel to Tottenham, the Bavarian giants let go some of their youngsters since they’re not getting playing time from head coach Vincent Kompany. Perhaps this was Bayern Munich’s plan all along, as it is rumoured they’ll splurge on reinforcements this summer rather than in January.
Meanwhile, defending champions Bayer Leverkusen have strengthened their roster with the addition of some key veterans, and RB Leipzig finally closed a permanent deal with one of their most important players in the past few seasons.
Continue reading below as SBOTOP analyses some of the biggest winners and losers.
Winner: Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen increased their Bundesliga 2025 odds of defending their title by adding some unwanted veterans who could turn into diamonds in the rough just like Granit Xhaka and Exequiel Palacios. Die Werkself loaned Mario Hermoso from AS Roma and Emiliano Buendia from Aston Villa, adding depth to their backline and midfield. Before joining Xabi Alonso’s team, Hermoso and Buendia only made 16 league appearances combined this season.
Hermoso and Buendia came off the bench in Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-1 win over Hoffenheim last night. Both players are still adjusting to the German top-flight, but Xabi Alonso will need them eventually as he rotates his squad given their grueling schedule.
Besides acquiring Hermoso and Buendia, Bayer Leverkusen did the right thing by not selling Victor Boniface. There were Bundesliga 2025 news that Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr were keen on buying him for a high transfer fee, but Die Werkself held their nerve, and their attacking corps remains one of the strongest in the league.
Xabi Alonso is riding the hot hand of Patrik Schick (14 league goals), but he’ll also need to recall Boniface (seven league goals) sooner or later. Bayer Leverkusen know you can never have enough depth in the final third.
Loser: Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund will find it difficult to fight for a spot in European football this season, as they didn’t do much in the winter transfer window. The only moves they completed were selling Donyell Malen to Aston Villa for €23 million and loaning Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea. BVB also wanted to acquire Rayan Cherki from Lyon, but no deal has come to fruition.
BVB still have a talented squad, but they’ve underperformed this season, sitting in 11th place with 29 points. Since sacking Nuri Sahin, Borussia Dortmund have recorded one draw and one win and have appointed Niko Kovac as their new head coach.
The good news for Kovac is that he doesn’t have a bare team. Serhou Guirassy, Jamie Gittens, and Maximilian Beier are the team’s top scorers with nine, seven, and four league goals this season. Ramy Bensebaini and Julian Brandt have five assists each to lead the squad.
Maybe BVB are banking on the so-called new manager bounce to turn their fortunes around, but 11th to fourth is a steep climb.
Winner: RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig beefed up their frontline by signing Ridle Baku from VfL Wolfsburg and Xavi Simons via a permanent deal from PSG. Baku, who played mostly at right-back, can play multiple positions and has recorded two league goals and one assist with the Wolves this season. Simons has been in Leipzig since 2023 via loan with the Parisiens.
Xavi Simons remains one of their most productive players with four league goals and three assists. He scored a brace in his return from injury against Werder Bremen last January 12 to lead RB Leipzig to a 4-2 win. With the Dutch playmaker back in the mix, RB Leipzig will fancy their chances of clinching a Top 4 spot.
Loser: Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt are on this list because they lost their top scorer in Omar Marmoush. The Egyptian forward was one of the frontrunners of the Bundesliga Golden Boot race with 15 goals, but he was sold to Manchester City.
Die Adler reportedly received £59 million for Marmoush, so it’s not hard to blame them, but his departure means the team will heavily rely on Hugo Ekitike to produce goals. To his credit, Ekitike has 11 league goals and three assists.
The only way for Eintracht Frankfurt to shed their “loser” tag is if the team hits it big with Elye Wahi and Michy Batshuayi – their notable winter transfer window signings. Die Adler’s batting average of producing and cashing in on strikers is proven, so fans shouldn’t worry about their team in the long run.
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