At FC Bayern, the contracts of several top stars are expiring in the summer – both those who are supposedly “old-timers” and those who are key performers who will shape the club for years to come. Bayern legend Lothar Matthäus does not believe that the Munich team is in for a bloodletting – and explains why the negotiations are currently stalled.
“I am of the opinion that FC Bayern has a good chance of extending all players,” said Lothar Matthäus in an interview RTL/ntv and sport.de and referred to six players: Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Leroy Sané, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Müller.
FC Bayern’s current focus is primarily on Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich, who, according to sports director Max Eberl, should be the faces of the club in the future. Negotiations with the national players have been going on for some time, as have talks with left-back Davies, who is being courted by Real Madrid.
The Bayern bosses have not achieved any breakthroughs so far. “It’s not just about the money,” emphasized Matthäus: “It’s also about FC Bayern’s path in the next few years.” What the others are doing is also important to Musiala, Kimmich and Davies.” Since there is still no clarity here, “it’s a bit stalled.”
The trio “ultimately want success with FC Bayern and that’s why they are perhaps hesitating a bit because they also want to know what happens next at FC Bayern,” Matthäus continued. But he could “calm down” all three, said the 63-year-old. “FC Bayern is a club that is always looking for players so that they can achieve the biggest goals.”
FC Bayern: New future in Munich “safe”
He knows from Musiala and Kimmich in particular that “they do everything for success. Everything. That also means everything in their private lives: nutrition, sleep, etc. and of course in training anyway,” Matthäus praised the mentality of the Munich team.
With goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Matthäus is “convinced that it’s actually safe.” According to media reports, the 38-year-old is set to extend his contract in Munich by one year.
“I think it’s a sensible and right decision. Manuel is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” said the 1990 world champion. He assumes that Neuer is “sensible enough to sign a contract with Bayern Munich find a solution.”
What Matthäus means: Neuer is likely to cut back on his salary if he extends his contract. This also applies to club icon Thomas Müller.
“Müller decides for himself,” said the former world footballer. “I also think he still enjoys football. At least it comes across that way. That’s why I’m assuming that Thomas will agree with Bayern to maybe stick with it for another year,” said Matthäus.
The 35-year-old is still an “important player for the team, for the coach, for those responsible, and also for the atmosphere in the dressing room. And he is not a backup now, but when he is there or when he is called up , then he actually always delivers his performance.”