Bayern buy in quality and don't need Premier League riches

As the Premier League has spent and spent, Bayern have kept a cool head and made subtle tweaks to address weaknesses within their squad this summer, rather than make extravagant, big money signings.

In Matthias Sammer, they have a transfer chief who is determined in his current role as he was as a player. He has been typically forthright in his attitude in the market this summer and recently pointed to the gulf in riches between English and German clubs.

Nevertheless, they remain the market leader in Germany and have addressed their need for competition in wide areas that became glaringly apparent towards the end of 2014/15.

Signings: Doing the necessary

Last season was a particularly frustrating one for Bayern. Despite winning the Bundesliga, the Champions League eluded them after a disappointing performance against Barcelona and they lost their stranglehold on the DFB Pokal, as they were beaten by Dortmund in the semi-finals. 

On either flank, they were left exposed. Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are creaking with age, with their already-fragile bodies unable to support the rigours of the club’s designs on dominance on all three fronts. 

Douglas Costa, whose skills have dazzled in his early appearances for the club, has been brought in from Shakhtar Donetsk and has all the potential to develop into a superstar. 

A more curious move is the two-year loan for Juventus starlet Kingsley Coman, with an option to make the transfer permanent, should he impress. 

The French youngster was not the only man to arrive from the Italian champions. Arturo Vidal, who came so close to moving to the Allianz Arena four years ago, was signed after his victorious Copa America campaign with Chile. 

The 28-year-old, along with youngster Joshua Kimmich, will add some steel to midfield. Signed from Stuttgart after two impressive years on loan at RB Leipzig, Pep Guardiola has gushed over the Germany youth international’s talent. While Vidal will look to dominate the centre of the park now, Kimmich is one for the future. 

The least eye catching signing was a necessary one: Sven Ulreich arrived from Stuttgart to provide experienced back-up to Manuel Neuer.