- Bayern loaned Johan Kusi-Asare to Fulham
- Had earlier promised him backup striker role
- Bayern’s reversal has been criticised
After a chaotic end to the summer transfer window, Bayern loaned their 18-year-old prospect Kusi-Asare to Fulham in a last-minute move. The deal with an option to buy, comes after Bayern reportedly assured Kusi-Asare in mid-August that he would remain with the first team to serve as a backup to Harry Kane. However, the club abruptly changed course just days before the deadline, informing the Swedish teenager that he was free to look for a new club after all, according to Sky Sports.
Bayern’s initial plan was to integrate Kusi-Assare into the senior squad and this was further confirmed by sporting director Christoph Freund. This promise led the player to reject other concrete offers, including one from PSV, a club that could have provided a less pressured environment for his development.
However, as the transfer window progressed, a new twist emerged. Reports surfaced that Bayern were considering signing another striker to provide more proven depth behind Kane. This led to a significant shift in strategy, and when the club secured Nicolas Jackson on a loan-to-buy deal, Kusi-Asare was suddenly surplus to requirements. The timing of this U-turn was crucial, as it left the player with limited options late in the window.
The Swedish striker was signed by Bayern in 2024 from AIK for €4.5 million. The 18-year-old played started for Bayern’s reserve team mostly last year in which he scored five goals and registered two assists in 23 games across all competitions. However, despite extending Kusi-Asare’s contract and securing a buy-back option, the club have put the 18-year-old in a difficult position, who might struggle in a physically competitive English league.
The player’s immediate future will be about proving he can compete at the highest level in a challenging league. He will compete for minutes with experienced strikers like Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez. The German club are counting on their buy-back option to pay off in the long run, but their handling of the promise made to Kusi-Asare has put both the player and the club’s reputation under scrutiny.
