Bayern Munich is on fire. This winter, the residents of the Allianz Arena are scrutinizing the market like almost all clubs. But the biggest project for the residents of the Allianz Arena mainly concerns contract extensions. Bavarian managers usually like to anticipate and settle everything well before the last year of their players’ contracts in order to avoid finding themselves in a delicate position. They were marked by the cases of David Alaba, Robert Lewandowski and more recently by the Alphonso Davies soap opera. For him, everything ended well, although he later suffered a serious injury. Courted by Real Madrid, the Canadian was very close to leaving last year.
But the Munich residents managed to secure his contract extension. In 2026, the club coached by Vincent Kompany will have to make important decisions concerning several elements of its group, starting with Manuel Neuer (39 years old). Mythical goalkeeper of the club, he will be free on June 30. Asked recently about this, he confided: ” Not yet. I prefer to take my time. Above all, it’s about taking the time to think: how is my body? What is my state of health? Does it make sense to continue? I need to postpone this decision a little longer.” At the same time, Bayern Munich is exploring the goalkeeper market. In Germany, the name of Mike Maignan, at the end of his contract at AC Milan, is mentioned.
A colossal project
Also a specialist in the position, Sven Ulreich (37) is in the same contractual situation. But his case is considered less priority. Like the two doormen, Dayot Upamecano (27 years old) is at a crossroads. The Frenchman has become a leader in defense. Kompany and the club are counting on him. But Real Madrid, with whom a verbal agreement has been reached, and PSG are pushing behind the scenes. Recently, we explained to you on our site that the player and Bayern Munich agree on all financial points. But they have not yet agreed on the defender’s release clause. The latter would like it to be included this summer, when the Germans are campaigning for it to be applicable the following summer. Raphaël Guerreiro (32 years old) but also Serge Gnabry (30 years old) and Leon Goretzka (30 years old) are also at a turning point. Concerning the last two players mentioned, Max Eberl, the club’s sporting director, left the door open to all options.
“Yes, without wanting to set a deadline for a decision. We have had preliminary discussions with both players and their agents. Anything is possible and there is no deadline for either.” For Gnabry, author of 5 goals and 8 assists in 21 appearances in all competitions, Sky Germany mentioned discussions concerning an extension until 2028. For Goretzka, who has been announced as leaving for several years and whose extension seems “unlikely” although he is very important in the group and for Kompany, clubs are already positioning themselves. Naples and Barça, where Hansi Flick works, whom he knows very well, are cited as candidates for his arrival by the German media. In addition to having to manage the future of their star Harry Kane (32), at the end of his contract in 2027, Bayern Munich already has 6 files, including 5 dangerous (Neuer, Upamecano, Gnabry, Goretzka and Guerreiro) to settle this winter or at the latest before the end of the season.
