Bundesliga
Summer transfers to buy in Fantasy
The summer transfer window has slammed shut, but not before some late moves that could open up fantastic opportunities in Bundesliga Fantasy.
Alongside Bundesliga clubs concluding their summer shopping, the first international break of the season is upon us, which means unlimited transfers in Fantasy.
Managers may have had players to acquire in mind already, but whether it is hidden gems from other leagues or simply players moving domestically to get more game time, there are now more to consider.
bundesliga.com takes a closer look at five of the best of them…
Victor Boniface
Club: Werder Bremen
Position: Forward
Price: 14.23m
Watch: The Best of Boniface in the Bundesliga
Two short seasons ago, Victor Boniface contributed 14 goals and nine assists to Bayer Leverkusen’s undefeated Bundesliga title triumph, and even last term his 10 direct goal-involvements came in at a rate of one every 100 minutes he played. A summer move to Italian giants AC Milan only fell through at the 11th hour.
That Boniface now finds himself on loan at Werder Bremen owes more to Patrik Schick’s recovery of form and fitness at the BayArena than it does any shortcoming on Boniface’s part. The Nigerian is still valued like the elite attacking asset he is, but at least he will now be guaranteed playing time. With less than 1% ownership, Boniface is a differential with the highest of ceilings.
Leart Paqarada
Club: Heidenheim
Position: Defender
Price: 6.02m
The last time Cologne got promoted, in 2023, Leart Paqarada set up 10 league goals. Last season he added another eight – not bad for a left-back. That the Kosovo international found himself surplus to requirements at the RheinEnergieStadion this summer was something of a surprise, and one that Heidenheim were happy to capitalise upon.
The Baden-Württemberg club have a Frans Krätzig-sized gap to fill on the left-hand side of their nominal 3-4-3 formation (the former Bayern Munich youngster is now at Red Bull Salzburg), and Paqarada looks to be just the man to fill it. An affordable, OOP asset, Paqarada’s popularity among Fantasy managers could soon soar.
Conrad Harder
Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Forward
Price: 7.5m
RB Leipzig have a new No.9 in the shape of Conrad Harder. Benjamin Šeško and Loïs Openda have left for Manchester United and Juventus respectively, and whilst Rômulo has also arrived at the Red Bull Arena, from Göztepe in Türkiye, Harder’s recent experience at Sporting CP could stand him in better stead to replace them.
Harder enjoyed 10 goal-involvements in 28 Portuguese Primeira Liga games last season – even with recent Arsenal acquisition Viktor Gyökeres compromising his minutes – and added another seven from seven in the Cup. At 7.5m, the left-footed Denmark international looks to be underpriced.
Fábio Vieira
Club: Hamburg
Position: Midfielder
Price: 8.8m
Fábio Vieira has perhaps the highest profile of any Hamburg player this season, the former Arsenal regular joining on loan from the Gunners after spending last year back at first club Porto. Arsenal bought their second Vieira on the back of a 22 direct goal-involvement season in 2022, and he managed another 11 last term.
Vieira should be nailed at the Volksparkstadion, boasts a significant ability to thread a through-ball, and will likely take some set piece duty away from Miro Muheim and Jean-Luc Dompé as the season wears on. At 8.8m, there’s very little not to like.
Aarón Anselmino
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Defender
Price: 8.42
Borussia Dortmund have had a busy summer, signing the likes of Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland and Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea, but the latter’s former Blues teammate Aarón Anselmino could prove to be the most important in Fantasy terms.
A centre-back by trade, Anselmino has been drafted in on loan amidst a defensive injury crisis with Emre Can (groin), Nico Schlotterbeck (knee) and Niklas Süle (calf) all sidelined. It means he will start most games, although his ability to play in midfield also adds to his appeal once that trio return.