Post-Summer Transfers: Eberl's New Building Project at FC Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich is gearing up for an exciting season, with several key decisions looming over the club. The future of some of their top players, including Dayot Upamecano, Leon Goretzka, and Serge Gnabry, is a hot topic of discussion.
Dayot Upamecano, a regular in Bayern's defensive centre, has not yet extended his contract, which expires at the end of the season. The French defender has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, and Bayern can hardly afford to let him leave without a transfer fee due to his importance to the team. Upamecano has been impressive this season, catching the attention of top European teams, and it's no secret that he has his best footballing years ahead of him.
However, contract extension discussions with Upamecano have no set deadline. Bayern's sporting director, Christoph Freund, emphasized that they want to conduct talks calmly after the transfer window closed. Upamecano is reportedly demanding a significant increase in salary if his contract is extended, but the club is yet to reveal its stance on the matter.
Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, top earners at Bayern, have been criticized for their performances and considered for sale at times. However, Goretzka currently holds his starting position securely, while Gnabry has shown significant improvement in the first season games. Both Goretzka and Gnabry, if they qualify, are possible candidates for the German national team in the next World Cup.
Interestingly, both players would have to accept wage cuts for an extension, a decision that might not be easy for them to make. Bayern cannot simply let go of Goretzka and Gnabry due to their importance to the team.
Preparations for the next Bayern season have already begun, with Max Eberl, Bayern's manager, currently on vacation to recover from a turbulent transfer summer. Eberl and Christoph Freund face challenging tasks ahead, with four players' contracts expiring at the end of the current season, including Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Leroy Sané, and an unspecified player.
The cost of replacing free departures like Sané and Müller can be seen in the cases of Luis Díaz and Nicolas Jackson. Bayern spent heavily to secure their services, and it's clear that the club cannot afford to let key players like Upamecano leave without a fight.
Meanwhile, Manuel Neuer, Bayern's captain and performance leader, is still in top form and likely to stay with the team. Neuer's extension is likely, given his age and performance, and a World Cup participation is also possible.
Real Madrid is also reportedly interested in Upamecano, with the Spanish giants eyeing a potential free transfer next summer. This adds another layer of complexity to Bayern's contract negotiations with the defender.
David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger, both U30 stars, have contracts expiring next year at Real Madrid. This could potentially open up opportunities for Bayern to strengthen their squad, but it remains to be seen how the transfer market will unfold in the coming months.
As the season progresses, Bayern will have to navigate these challenges carefully to ensure a successful campaign. The future of their key players, Upamecano, Goretzka, and Gnabry, will play a crucial role in shaping the club's fortunes in the next season.
