FC Bayern have reached a key milestone in their squad planning with the imminent extension of Dayot Upamecano’s contract. But Max Eberl and the sporting management have barely had time to take a deep breath – the next personnel decision is already looming
Bayern struggled for months to secure the signature of Dayot Upamecano, with sporting director Max Eberl and sporting director Christoph Freund declaring the central defender an absolute top priority, with honorary president Uli Hoeneß even intervening personally in the end. The public and internal pressure had an effect: the breakthrough came this week. If everything goes according to plan, the 27-year-old will sign a new four-year contract until 2030 in the coming days and, together with Jonathan Tah, will form the defensive center of the future
Manuel Neuer remains an open construction site
Despite the success of the Upamecano case, the to-do list at Säbener Straße remains long. In particular, the future of captain Manuel Neuer continues to occupy those responsible. The 39-year-old’s contract expires at the end of the season and a decision on his sporting future has yet to be made. Due to his rumoured annual salary of around €20 million, the personnel issue has a significant impact on the club’s financial and structural planning
According to media reports, however, the decisive talks will not take place until the end of March. Until then, there will be radio silence – a scenario that differs significantly from the Upamecano saga, which has now come to an end
Gnabry to extend next
The situation with Serge Gnabry is much more concrete. Reports have already been doing the rounds in recent days that FC Bayern and the attacking player have agreed in principle on an extension. Sky has now also confirmed that Gnabry could be the next professional to extend his contract in Munich immediately after the official announcement of Upamecano’s extension
A new contract until 2028 is being discussed, but the 30-year-old will apparently have to make financial concessions. According to the report, Gnabry will lose around 20 per cent of his current salary – a move that fits in with the new salary structure at FC Bayern
In sporting terms, the DFB international continues to enjoy the trust of head coach Vincent Kompany. Above all, Gnabry’s flexibility in attack makes him valuable to the Belgian. Whether on the wing or in the center, Gnabry remains an important building block in the Munich squad
If the next extension is signed in the near future, FC Bayern will have made two key moves for the coming years in a very short space of time.