Bayern Munich have undergone a significant reshaping this summer as Vincent Kompany has taken the helm and several signings have followed him. However, the biggest changes to the club may not have arrived yet as a wealth of long-term players have less than a year remaining on their contracts.
Here we will look at four long-term German stars who could leave Bayern as soon as this summer.
Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller
Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller are two genuine legends potentially entering the final 12 months of their time at the club – at the ages of 38 and 34, it is unlikely they will be sold for fees rather than seeing out their deals.
If their contracts are not renewed then they will have one final chance to win a title with Bayern in 2024/25 and according to Paddy Power football, it will be a strong one as Kompany’s side is offered at 8/15 to reclaim their Bundesliga crown. The site’s football tips suggest that Bayern’s smart transfer recruitment could help to close the gap on Bayer Leverkusen next year.
While it would be difficult for Bayern to replace both the footballing ability and leadership offered by club legends Neuer and Muller, it would be extremely fitting if their long-term impact on the club was rewarded with another Bundesliga medal before they move on.
It is tough to imagine the pair playing for another club after being key men for the Bundesliga’s biggest club for over a decade. Retirement would surely be the only route for Neuer if his Bayern days are to come to an end, although Muller may have a few more years in the tank that he could utilise at a new club.
Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane
Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane are two Germans who could depart but are contrastingly holding on to the tail end of their prime days rather than their overall careers. This means that Bayern could demand strong fees for either if they choose to cash in this summer, rather than lose them for free in 2025.
Both have been consistently linked with the top English clubs and that could especially be a possibility for Sane as he spent several years with Manchester City in the Premier League. Kimmich has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and it would not be a surprise if he plays his football in the French capital alongside former teammate Lucas Hernandez next season.
Ultimately Bayern have shown with their transfer activity this year and the appointment of Kompany that they are taking a fresh direction. There is a genuine possibility that they will allow a large part of the club’s long-term German core to leave over the next 12 months.
The end of Neuer and Muller’s time was always going to be around the corner at this point, however, Bayern may live to regret shipping off the once world-class talents of Kimmich and Sane to their UEFA Champions League rivals.
