Bayern Munich could see personnel changes on the defensive side as early as this winter. With Sacha Boey having long been considered a candidate for a trade, Hiroki Ito is now also said to no longer have a long-term future in Munich.
As reported by *kicker*, Bayern Munich wants to part ways with the Japanese national team player. According to the report, the club is aiming to complete a sale during the winter transfer window. If a suitable buyer cannot be found in January, the transfer could take place by next summer at the latest.
Ito still has a contract with the German record champions through 2028. This means the upcoming summer transfer window would be the last major opportunity for the Munich club to secure a suitable transfer fee for the center back.
Ito was never able to establish himself permanently at Bayern
FC Bayern signed Ito from VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2024, triggering his release clause of 23.5 million euros. However, the transfer—which was quite surprising at the time—has not yet panned out as hoped for the Munich club.
Above all, numerous injury problems repeatedly set Ito back and prevented the versatile defender from establishing himself permanently in the team.
After more than two years in Munich, it therefore appears that an early parting of ways is on the horizon. According to *kicker*, the 27-year-old is set to be sold this winter, provided a suitable offer is received.
For Bayern, the question of what transfer fee can still be secured is likely to play a role in this decision. One thing is clear: Recouping the original investment of 23.5 million euros is by no means a given, given Ito’s time in Munich so far. His current market value is estimated at just 18 million euros.
Boey is also expected to leave Bayern
However, Ito isn’t the only defender whose future with the record champions is up in the air. Sacha Boey is also still considered a candidate for sale.
Munich signed the right back from Galatasaray in January 2024 for around 30 million euros. The Frenchman, too, has been unable to establish himself at FCB on a long-term basis and, according to *kicker*, is allowed to leave the club if a suitable offer comes along.
This, however, poses a problem for Bayern. If Ito and Boey were to find new clubs as early as this winter, the squad would lose significant depth in defense.
Given the heavy workload in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup, and Champions League, the club’s leadership—led by Max Eberl and Christoph Freund—would likely have to consider replacements. Whether both players actually leave as early as January will therefore depend not only on suitable offers but also on potential successors.