FC Bayern already made significant cuts to salary costs last summer, but one thing is clear at Säbener Straße: the austerity measures are not yet complete. Two highly remunerated contracts are increasingly becoming a problem for the record champions
With the departures of Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman last summer, FC Bayern has already shed considerable salary burdens. Both are said to have recently earned between 17 and 20 million euros per year. Sané left the club on a free transfer to Galatasaray Istanbul, Coman moved to Saudi Arabia to Al-Nassr. But despite these savings, those responsible still see a need for action
According to BILD, the main focus is on Leon Goretzka and Minjae Kim, both of whom earn around €17 million per season – a salary that is no longer in proportion to their sporting role. The situation is particularly clear in Goretzka’s case. The 30-year-old has lost his starting place to Aleksandar Pavlovic for good and only plays in the Bundesliga under Vincent Kompany
Goretzka’s contract expires at the end of the season and there have been no talks about extending his contract. The club is being conspicuously reticent when it comes to his future – a clear signal. Although the midfielder has proven on several occasions in the past that he is ready to fight his way back, his path in Munich has effectively come to an end in sporting and strategic terms
Minjae Kim remains a difficult case
The situation with Minjae Kim is more complex. The South Korean centre-back is also one of the big earners in the squad, but is now only third choice in sporting terms. Behind Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano, Kim has lost his place in the center of defence. Under Kompany, he not only lacks the consistency, but also the confidence to play a leading role
According to BILD, FC Bayern would in principle be prepared to let Kim leave if a suitable offer came along. The Munich club would not put any obstacles in the defender’s way in order to save further salary and streamline the squad. But this is precisely where the problem lies. Kim’s high salary is deterring potential suitors. Hardly any club is prepared to take on the current salary level. A move for the 28-year-old would only be possible with significant financial sacrifices
The case of Goretzka and Kim is an example of where FC Bayern is currently starting from. It is less about individual players and more about the long-term orientation of the salary structure. The club no longer wants to afford high fixed costs for reserve players in future. Under Max Eberl and Christoph Freund, greater attention is being paid to ensuring that the sporting role and remuneration return to a healthy balance.
