Bayern Munich newcomer Ismael Saibari stays behind as Asian tour begins

Ismael Saibari will have to wait a little longer for his Bayern Munich debut after being left out of the club’s travelling squad for their pre-season tour of Asia.

The Morocco midfielder, who joined Bayern Munich from PSV Eindhoven this summer in a transfer worth 55m euros, has remained in Germany while Vincent Kompany’s team prepares abroad.

Saibari is currently training separately at Bayern Munich’s training centre, where he is following an individual programme. The midfielder can also operate as an attacker, but has not yet joined the main group as the club continues its preparations for the new season.

According to the German branch of Sky Sports, Saibari is not the only Bayern player working on his fitness away from the touring squad. Serge Gnabry, Lennart Karl and Jamal Musiala are also staying in Germany as they continue their own programmes.

The decision means Saibari’s first appearance for the German champions will be delayed beyond the opening matches of their Asian trip. Bayern are currently preparing under Kompany, with the Belgian manager taking his squad abroad for a series of pre-season fixtures.

Bayern’s first match on the tour is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, when they will face Jeju SK in a friendly. Three days later, the club will play Aston Villa in Hong Kong.

Saibari could instead make his Bayern Munich debut in the friendly against RB Leipzig on 15 August. That match would give the Morocco international another opportunity to appear before the competitive campaign begins, although he must first complete his individual training programme.

His absence from the travelling group comes shortly after his move from PSV Eindhoven. The transfer made Saibari one of Bayern’s summer arrivals, but his immediate work at the club has been carried out away from Kompany’s touring squad.

For now, the midfielder remains at Bayern Munich’s training base alongside Gnabry, Karl and Musiala. While his new team-mates face Jeju SK and Aston Villa in Asia, Saibari’s focus will be on regaining full fitness and preparing for a possible first outing against RB Leipzig.

The 15 August fixture is therefore the earliest currently identified opportunity for the 55m-euro signing to begin his Bayern Munich career on the pitch.