Bayern sell Brazil defender Dante to Wolfsburg

Bayern Munich confirmed on Sunday they have sold Brazil centre-back Dante to Wolfsburg for an undisclosed fee with the 31-year-old set to sign a three-year contract.

Dante has fallen out of favour with Bayern coach Pep Guardiola due to a lack of pace and the Brazilian, whose full name is Dante Bonfim Costa Santos, has found himself on the bench for Bayern’s three league games this season.

He made his first Bundesliga appearance of the 2015/16 campaign by playing the last 17 minutes of Bayern’s 3-0 home win over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday which has proved to be his farewell.

“Dante simply wanted the chance to play regularly and we didn’t want to hinder his wish,” explained Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in a statement.

The defender, who has not made the Brazil squad for their September friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States, was a key factor in Bayern winning the 2013 treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

Having joined Bayern from Borussia Moenchengladbach in July 2012, Dante has won the Bundesliga title three times in succession and lifted the German Cup twice, as well as the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup crowns in 2013.

“We want to thank Dante. FC Bayern experienced a very successful time with him including lots of great moments and titles,” added Rummenigge.

“In addition, we have got to know Dante as a very pleasant and friendly person. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Wolfsburg are poised to sell attacking midfield Kevin de Bruyne to Manchester City and the German Cup holders are set to splash out more cash before the transfer window closes in Germany at 1800 local time (1600 GMT) on Monday.

Schalke’s Germany midfielder Julian Draxler has also been heavily linked to Wolfsburg, although Schalke boss Horst Heldt insisted on Sunday that nothing had yet been decided.