Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Florian Wirtz, Max Eberl, Harry Kane and more.
How worried are Bayern about Liverpool in the poker for Florian Wirtz?
Max Eberl survives the supervisory board meeting… but what’s next?
Could Bayern move for Xavi Simons and Diogo Costa?
Could Harry Kane return to the Premier League soon?
Bayern Munich season review
Jamal Musiala and Dayot Upamecano hold the Bundesliga trophy.
(Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
I think we can start with Harry Kane when discussing the “highs” of FC Bayern’s 2024/25 season. He was voted the Bundesliga player of the season, won the Torjägerkanone (Bundesliga top scorer award), and secured his first-ever title. There were always eyes on him this term, because everyone was really hoping that Kane would win this league title and his first trophy. For Bayern Munich, of course, it’s the club duty, if you will, to win the championship again. Everything else will be very disappointing for the club.
The main target this season was to reach the Champions League final, particularly because it’s being held at the Allianz Arena. They didn’t make it, and the worrying thing is that there was such a big chance! They won against PSG in the group stages, and they certainly weren’t the worse side against Inter Milan (and that’s without mentioning Bayern’s arguably superior squad). But in the end, it didn’t work out. So, I think it was a developmental season for the team and new coach in Vincent Kompany. They now want to make a big step. With Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann it was always a never quite right situation. Now, things are different. You have a season where you think the team could actually work. I think this could be the beginning of something.
You certainly get that impression when you talk with the players. I had an interview with Leon Goretzka and no one in the squad is 100% satisfied. Typical Bayern Munich! Joshua Kimmich gave the season a schoolmark of “3” (a “C” mark in England), which is basically just a “pass”. Still, this is a positive first season for Kompany. Thomas Müller was saying that things just clicked with the coach, and he hasn’t felt this way about a coach previously – so it’s a big compliment! I asked Goretzka about this and he understood what his teammate meant, but Hansi Flick may have something to say about this! The Barcelona boss is the only manager where you can compare the relationship between team and players.
There was a funny story that took place during Bayern’s meisterschale presentation. When they received the trophy, Vincent Kompany placed a cockatoo – which the players had stolen from the Käfer restaurant in Munich (where the team watched SC Freiburg v Leverkusen) – on the stand. It says a lot when the coach is joining in with the fun. I think it shows the connection – Kompany is one of them.
What do Bayern need this summer?
Defence is the big priority for FC Bayern this summer. It caused them a lot of problems at the beginning of the season, which Kompany worked on. But in the end, they’re fully aware that they need a defensive leader – that’s why they really want Jonathan Tah. The parties involved are very close at the moment; there’s just a question about the length of contract on the table (whether it’s a three-year deal, or three plus one, or even four). He’s still yet to sign. Perhaps Barca is still knocking a little on the door, but Bayern ultimately think they’ll get him. Normally when Bayern Munich thinks they’ll get something, they get it. Not always, of course! But I think this will be an important part of the puzzle, which the club was missing this season.
It would be brilliant to have Florian Wirtz at Bayern, but in my view, it’s more important to have a better defence and structure for the next campaign. They have everything, barring a defensive leader, to be competitive next term. The season showed that Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae can both be a very good defensive partner provided they have someone who guides them. They can’t be that leader for each other.
Thomas Müller’s long goodbye
Bayern held a party for Müller, which was a big success, after the match against Gladbach. I don’t think he yet realised that such a long time spent with the club was over. I spoke with him in the stadium and he wondered why I was asking him such emotional questions! He said it didn’t feel emotional, but I told Thomas, “I feel this way because you’re going!” But he’s taking it in his stride, and he’s yet to feel the weight of emotion. He’s looking at this as the beginning of something new. I think now with the season break he’ll go on holiday and it will hit him that something big is ending.
He’ll still play the Club World Cup with Bayern, of course, but everyone is now waiting for Müller’s next decision on his future. It’s still at a point where it’s a move to Los Angeles FC or nothing. He will, of course, be involved in the TV punditry; I think he’ll be involved across a number of TV stations for the upcoming World Cup in 2026. So, the USA could be a good next step to fill his time until the tournament rolls around. He wanted to play another season until then. Now, he has to decide if he really wants to end his playing career or let it run out over in the MLS.
After the Ibiza trip, Müller invited his teammates and their families to an indoor water park. They had a great day there!
Max Eberl survives meeting with supervisory board
Max Eberl smiles next to Thomas Muller who is holding a bouquet of flowers.
(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
The feeling is now that he has until after the next transfer window to show how good he really is. His contract is until 2027, but Bayern will judge him based on his work during the summer. Last summer, they didn’t allow him to sign Jonathan Tah (a mistake, in my view). Now, they believe in the transfer and say, “Okay, do what is best for this squad.” But, of course, everyone has their eye on what’s happening with Florian Wirtz. It’s a strange situation for Eberl, because work on the deal was started by Uli Hoeneß, the godfather of managers. He’s still involved in the game, even as the honorary president on the supervisory board. The feeling is that if it works, everyone will say it was thanks to Hoeneß – and if it doesn’t, everyone will say it’s Eberl’s fault. So, he can’t win!
Eberl needs to raise funds
Eberl has to sell players to raise funds this summer. Kim Min-jae is one such player, as are the likes of Bryan Zaragoza and João Palhinha. Until now, Eberl hasn’t shown that he can sell players and bring in money to the club this way. This will be his biggest test. Bayern are trying to find a way to sell Palhinha back to Fulham or even West Ham, who have the defensive midfielder on their shortlist.
Leroy Sané contract troubles
Things had already been clear with Leroy Sané’s last agency over a new contract. But now, Max Eberl has to toe a hard line, as the board won’t let him increase the salary offer on the table. If he loses Sané, Bayern will lose some value in the market, as he’ll leave on a free transfer when his contract expires in June.
Sané is feeling very well at Munich. He’s got a strong connection here with Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Alphonso Davies. He would like to stay at the club. It’s more the case that it’s his girlfriend, Candice Brooks, who has the idea of moving back to England, as she’s living in London most of the time. Clubs in the area who were interested in Sané, however, were not getting concrete. Arsenal are not all over this story at the moment, especially not whilst they’re going for Rodrygo. I heard Chelsea are not very keen on him, and they also have more of an eye on other players. There are no serious offers for him on the table. We know that his new agent, Pini Zahavi, will check what the situation is with other clubs, but there is nothing concrete at the moment. Newcastle are interested, but it’s not a seriously appealing option for Leroy Sané. It’s a difficult situation for him.
Leon Goretzka refuses Bayern exit
He won’t make a transfer this summer. They told him last summer that they wanted to sell him, and he said he wanted to stay, so Leon Goretzka stayed. The same thing has happened this summer again. So, everybody can believe that he’s prepared to fight for his chance in the team once again in 2025/26. It was a difficult start to the season for the German national, but in the end, he played 40 games in all competitions (2,260 minutes). The season before was similar. So, you see, he’s doing quite well. In the end, it’s a little bit like Sané. If you’re in danger of losing a player for free, you’d better give him a new contract to keep the value in the club.
Goretzka has a very high salary at the club (at least €17m a year). If he’s prepared to reduce his salary, there is a chance for him to receive a renewed contract.
Kim Min-jae and Bayern exits
There is an idea for Kim Min-jae to depart the club if he’s open to the next step being in Saudi Arabia. This is the club’s idea, as Saudi Arabia can fund such a deal, and they’ve shifted their approach to players at the end of their careers to players in the best shape of their career. This works out for Min-jae. So, now, Bayern are waiting for offers.
It’s a similar situation with Kingsley Coman. The forward isn’t interested in going to Newcastle, and there are no other big offers for him on the table from the Premier League. Saudi Arabia could also be an option and he could imagine going there. There were talks, but in the end it depends what’s happening with Sané. If Bayern lose Sané, the club may need to keep Coman, as they need wingers. It’s the same with Serge Gnabry (who also wants to stay). They can’t sell these two players if Sané leaves.
Bayern have tried to get Sacha Boey to Galatasaray. The Turkish outfit are interested, but Bayern won’t get the transfer fee they paid for Boey (€30m plus €5m in add-ons). I think this money has been burned! This is a similar case to Zaragoza, but ultimately, the club is keen to lower its payroll.
Mathys Tel didn’t play in the Europa League final, which was a big disappointment for Bayern Munich. This is because it shows that he ultimately isn’t a key starter for Tottenham. Still, Bayern are hoping for an offer, as Spurs have decided they hold some faith in Tel, though not enough to justify the price-tag of €60m. Bayern, however, are prepared to accept a lower transfer fee. I think they can start negotiations at €30m.
Bayern are worried about Liverpool and Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz looks on during Bundesliga game.
(Photo by Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich still believe they have the Wirtz family’s word that he will join Bayern in 2025 or 2026. But now, there is a bit of fear inside the club around Liverpool, because they didn’t think that the Reds would commit to the transfer fee, as it’s a lot of money. They had an idea a couple of summers ago for Moises Caicedo (with a £111m bid), but this didn’t work out. We heard that Florian was already househunting in Liverpool. The family is playing this transfer game quite openly; they’re telling Bayern what they’re doing with Liverpool, and they’re telling Liverpool what they’re doing with Bayern Munich. That’s perhaps why the BBC had the information about a meeting between Florian Wirtz and Bayern in Munich.
This is what will happen soon with Bayern – the club will hold a meeting at the Tegernsee. Uli Hoeneß has a house here. Here, they want to make a deal with the family. They’re hoping to gain some ground with the father (and agent), Hans-Joachim, who is nearly the same age as Hoeneß. His generation certainly admires Hoeneß, so this is a big chance for Bayern. Max Eberl also lives in the Tegernsee. They want to stop the efforts of Liverpool and complete the deal.
However, with Michael Edwards and Co. making the trip to Boston to see key FSG chiefs and discuss the deal, it’s not going to get easier for Bayern. It’s €150m Leverkusen are demanding for Florian Wirtz. Bayern won’t pay this, so that’s the chance for Liverpool to steal a march in the transfer poker by getting closer to this transfer fee.
We heard that Vincent Kompany already had a talk with Wirtz to show him where he’d be playing in the squad. So, you see, everything is really concrete. That’s why I think Bayern are still ahead, but they do take Liverpool’s efforts very seriously. Wirtz was impressed with what he saw from Liverpool. It’s a really big, professional club – another world when you’re working in Leverkusen. By comparison, Bayern Munich is more of a family club. It’s one of the biggest clubs in the world, of course, but the training ground, for instance, isn’t quite as big as you’d expect! This is because the campus where the youth teams play isn’t in the same place, so everything at other clubs, like Liverpool, can look bigger by comparison.
Juliane Wirtz
There is a family connection with the Wirtz deal. Florian Wirtz’s father, Hans, of course, is his agent and is working on the transfer. But they have help from agents with marketing questions. Marketing questions are handled by Volker Struth and his agency, which looks after his sister, Juliane Wirtz. His other sister works for Struth’s agency, helping with social media. So, that’s why everyone is always connecting things with Florian’s sisters. But in the end, Juliane has been interviewed on this and said it was a nice idea, but she’d never heard about an offer to play for the FC Bayern women’s team.
Real Madrid interest
Bayern Munich currently don’t take reported interest from Real Madrid in Florian Wirtz very seriously. They just have an eye on Liverpool. They knew very early that Manchester City would be out of the race. The Sky Blues are focused on signing Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest. So, you see, Bayern are usually pretty well informed about what’s happening at other clubs. If they don’t take Real Madrid seriously, then I think their interest is just rumours at this time.
Unlikely transfer stories
Xavi Simons looks sad and holds his head down.
(Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Xavi Simons
Xavi Simons was the idea of Max Eberl. Also, Vincent Kompany did hold talks with him. However, that’s a typical Bayern Munich thing. If they have a “Plan A” where everyone is committed to a particular player, they don’t tend to switch to a “Plan B”. I think Simons will be just an idea once again this summer. If Florian Wirtz doesn’t move to Bayern, I don’t think the club will pivot to Simons.
Armel Bella-Kotchap
Bayern Munich was interested in Armel Bella-Kotchap previously when Hansi Flick was manager. At the moment, there’s nothing concrete about this potential deal. Though, this can always change. If Jonathan Tah – who shares an agent, in Pini Zahavi, with Bella-Kotchap – doesn’t end up at Bayern Munich, his name could appear on the table. At the minute, however, his profile is not one they’re actively considering. He could be a good option to replace the outgoing Eric Dier. At the moment, though, Bayern’s eye is firmly on Jonathan Tah.
Diogo Costa
There’s nothing in this rumour. Bayern are very confident in the goalkeeper position. Jonas Urbig, for instance, did much better than anyone expected. Manuel Neuer has a year left on his current contract, and the club just simply has too many goalkeepers on the roster, to be honest! Alexander Nübel is also still out on loan and will return in 2026. Then Bayern have Daniel Peretz, whom they are prepared to send out on loan. There are a few ideas on the table here; Genoa and Leeds United are interested.
Could Harry Kane return to the Premier League?
Harry Kane holds the Bundesliga trophy whilst talking to Munich's lord mayor Dieter Reiter.
(Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
I think the prospect of breaking Alan Shearer’s Premier League goals record is still in Harry Kane’s head. Bayern Munich are aware of this, which is why his contract contains a release clause that would allow him to return to England (and hands Tottenham a matching right). But at the moment, the Englishman has big targets he wants to achieve with Bayern. He now has his first title with the club, and Kane has already said that he’s thinking about the next possible titles. He wants to win the Champions League with Bayern. The club, of course, wants to achieve this with Harry in Budapest next year. I think he could return to England if Bayern Munich wins the Champions League in 2026. This is just an idea for the summer the year before his contract ends in 2027.
That said, it still depends to a certain degree on how competitive Bayern are in future. I don’t think Harry Kane will leave if he sees a chance to win the Champions League in 2027. This all depends on whether he’s still in good shape and what Bayern win next year. There is an opportunity, but nothing is guaranteed.
→ READ MORE: The Bayern Insider: Jonathan Tah opportunity ahead of crunch Eberl transfer meeting