The headline transfer news across the Spanish and German media alike across the week to date has of course come in the form of Bryan Zaragoza’s incoming move to Bayern Munich.
After the German champions struck a deal with their counterparts at Granada, it was agreed that the highly-regarded 22-year-old will see out the current campaign in Spain, before taking his talents to Bavaria next summer.
Just who, though, is the latest addition to Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern squad?
Below, we take a look at everything you need to know about Bryan Zaragoza.
Granada stint
Zaragoza has been on the books of La Liga outfit Granada since the summer of 2019.
He linked up with the Andalusian club from his hometown side CD Conejito de Málaga, initially assigned to the youth sector in Andalusia.
As the gifts possessed by the attacker became more apparent, though, he was soon loaned out to third-tier outfit El Ejido.
Upon his return in the summer of 2021, Zaragoza was then allowed to showcase his readiness to contribute at senior level in Granada’s colours.
And, since, it has proven an impressive rise to prominence on the part of the Spaniard.
After playing a central role in Granada’s promotion back to La Liga last season, Zaragoza has taken to the rigours of top-flight football like a duck to water.
All told, across 14 league appearances to date, he has racked up five goals, and two assists. His standout showing, meanwhile, came back in October, when the Málaga native dazzled en route to a brace against Xavi’s Barcelona.
International career
Zaragoza was afforded his full Spain debut earlier this term, featuring off the bench in La Roja’s 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifying victory over Scotland.
In the process, he became the first Granada player to take to the pitch in the famed Spanish red for almost half a century.
Playing style
So, just what will Bayern Munich be getting when it comes to on-pitch production?
Zaragoza is an attack-minded player, capable of lining out in a number of positions across the frontline. He is primarily a left winger, though, who enjoys cutting in onto his trusty right foot.
When it comes to his standout traits, the 22-year-old boasts explosive pace, lightning-quick feet, and a supreme centre of balance, owing to his diminutive stature.
Such abilities make Zaragoza an elite dribbler, as evidenced by his La Liga-best 135 one-v-one attempts across the season to date.
Admittedly, his game does possess some holes, with the wide man still quite raw. His final ball can also too often leave something to be desired.
But the potential – as will be known by anyone who has watched Zaragoza surge down the wing this season – is very much there.
Bayern fit
Though he is unlikely to make much of an immediate impact at Bayern Munich, Zaragoza should, in time, flourish at the Allianz Arena.
With such a long-standing emphasis on production from wide areas, the Bavarians will provide their newest signing with the ideal platform on which to showcase his talents.
Surrounded by the technical brilliance of the likes of Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sané, and Harry Kane, Zaragoza could well take his game to a whole new level.
For the time being, or more specifically, next season, though, he will act as a fine rotation option for Thomas Tuchel, ready to exploit the tired legs of opposing backlines with a view to a long-term starting berth.
Conor Laird | GSFN
