Bundesliga Fantasy transfer roundup

The new season of German football is just around the corner. For that reason, we catch up with some of the latest signings with the Bundesliga Fantasy transfer roundup. Our Bundesliga Fantasy expert @FPLGunnersaurus talks through key signings and how they will affect the game moving forward.

The transfer window is in full swing and new signings can affect a team for better or worse. Highlighting the Bundesliga Fantasy roundup can be crucial to figure out if any of the new signings will be investable for the fantasy campaign ahead.

Loïs Openda (RB Leipzig – 14m – Forward)

Up there as my joint favourite transfer into the Bundesliga so far. Belgian international striker Openda switched Lens for Leipzig in a club record move which could reach the €50m mark. Based on that fact alone you can bet that Openda will be leading Leipzig’s forward line when the season kicks off.

With 21 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 last season, Openda comes in to the fantasy game valued at 14m. This puts him in the same price bracket as players like Gnabry, Haller and Füllkrug so fantasy managers are going to have decisions to make when it comes to premium strikers this season. Aside from their opening fixture away to Bayer Leverkusen Die Roten Bullen have a decent run of fixtures up until the first unlimited transfers period. Because of this I would expect most managers to own him at some point in the first seven game weeks.

Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer 04 Leverkusen – 10m – Defender)

My other favourite transfer so far was the free transfer that saw Spanish left-back Grimaldo relocate to Leverkusen after having spent eight seasons at Benfica. Valued at 10m in the fantasy game I think he could be one of the bargains of the season. He also offers a cheaper alternative to teammate Frimpong (14m).

Managers who have played UCL Fantasy will know just how good Grimaldo is after two goals and four assists in Benfica’s fantastic run last campaign. Across his last five league seasons in Portugal Grimaldo scored 16 goals and supplied 41 assists. For a full-back those figures are simply phenomenal. With the way that Alonso’s Leverkusen attack I simply can not see those attacking returns slowing down. Leverkusen face a depleted Borussia Mönchengladbach and both promoted sides in their first five fixtures. For that reason, I can see managers loading up on Leverkusen early on – make sure Grimaldo is in those starting XI’s.

David Datro Fofana (1. FC Union Berlin – 8m – Forward)

Another forward transfer which should excite fantasy managers is the loan move of Chelsea’s Fofana to Champions League competitors Union Berlin. The Ivorian did not get a chance to shine at Chelsea so we have to look back at his last season with Norwegian side Molde to see how good he can be.

Before he made the switch in January this year Fofana was on fire having scored 15 goals in 24 games, supplying three assists as well. Valued at 8m he could provide great value, perhaps as that third forward role alongside some premium assets. Keep an eye on pre-season fixtures to get an idea on whether he’s likely to make the first starting XI. Union have been fielding some strong line-ups so far and although Fofana has played in them all, he’s only started the one.

Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig – 14m – Midfielder)

A first midfield pick and it’s another player heading to the Red Bull Arena. PSG activated their buy-back clause to resign Simons from PSV and have sent him straight back out on loan again to further develop. The Dutch youngster was a huge hit in the Eredivisie last season. He scored 19 goals and supplied eight assists. He was also predominantly playing out on the left of the forward line.

It was a surprise to many to see him come in to the fantasy game priced at a huge 14m. This may put managers off bringing him in considering the likes of Musiala, Hofmann an Brandt only come in at 1m more each. Leipzig, despite the loss of Nkunku and Szoboszlai, have heavily invested up front with the likes of Baumgartner, Carvalho and Šeško all joining. Because of that who starts in the Red Bull forward line is anyone’s guess right now. Their Super Cup game on 12th August should however give a clearer indication as to who is playing up front.

Ramy Bensebaini (Borussia Dortmund – 13m – Defender)

The Algerian international right-back let his contract run down at ‘Gladbach and has joined Bundesliga runners-up Dortmund. With Raphaël Guerreiro moving to Bayern München (and not being featured here due a potential lack of playtime), expect Ryerson (9m) to cement a spot at left-back with Bensebaini locking down the right-back role. With decent attacking returns over his career (4+ goals in each of his last four seasons) he was the designated penalty taker for the Foals. This role may be taken away from him but playing for a better team and a more attacking side could well see him return better than ever this coming campaign.

You would have to think that he will secure a few more clean sheets too playing for De Schwarzgelben. Dortmund have a sensational opening run of games which see them face Köln, Bochum and Heidenheim in their first three fixtures. Bensebaini should be a shoe-in to start with, and think about the defensive double-up with a cut-price 11m Schlotterbeck or Ryerson too.