Munich (dpa) – CEO Oliver Kahn finds the heated debate about the future of Bayern’s top three players Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller excessive.
“I don’t understand all the excitement surrounding these topics,” said Kahn in the ZDF “Sportstudio” after the league leaders’ 4-0 win in the Bundesliga against Union Berlin. Neuer (35), Lewandowski (33) and Müller (32) all still have valid contracts, “also for the next season,” as Kahn emphasized.
The 52-year-old energetically rejected the accusation that the club was “hesitant” to talk to the three veterans. “We’ve always said we’re going to sit down and that’s a high priority for us. That hasn’t changed.” However, contract negotiations cannot be “regulated in passing,” Kahn remarked. The players also have certain ideas. “A process of rapprochement” is therefore necessary.
Expensive top trio
The trio is one of the top earners in the Munich squad. A further extension beyond 2023 by two years each could possibly cost Bayern up to 150 million euros in the overall package. “We have to make sure that our quality in the team and the economic component fit together,” said sports director Hasan Salihamidzic before the Union game kicked off on Sky TV.
“We are going through a difficult phase, financially,” emphasized Salihamidzic after two years of the corona pandemic. Kahn, in turn, sees “no reason” for the players to “leave Bayern. The players know what they have at this club,” said the former Bayern goalkeeper.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann reiterated on Saturday evening that everyone at the club “wants the players to stay”. Nor did he receive any signals to the contrary from his captains. “We’ll do our job,” Salihamidzic assured the fans.