As the 2024/25 season draws closer, FC Bayern face another round of highly controversial contract decisions.
Key players like Leon Goretzka (contract until 2025), Leroy Sané (2025) and Dayot Upamecano (2026) are all approaching the final year or running out of their current contracts this summer.
This topic raises questions at Säbener Straße about who should extend, under what terms and at what cost.
Bayern’s recent extensions with Joshua Kimmmich (2029), Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies (both 2030) have not come without criticism.
While securing core talents was seen as necessary, the reported high salaries and long-term commitments have sparked debate over the club’s wage structure and financial direction.
Now, with more big names up for renewal, the pressure is on the Bayern board to look for the right balance between performance and financial responsibility.
Bayern contract puzzle: Who stays, who goes, and at what cost?
As Bayern Munich begin to tackle the next wave of contract extensions, three names stand out: Leroy Sané, Dayot Upamecano, and Leon Goretzka.
All are entering the critical phase of their deals, and each represents a different kind of dilemma. Sporting, financial, and strategic.
Here’s our breakdown of where things stand after a recent Kicker report:
Leroy Sané – A case for renewal, but with caution
Leroy Sané’s contract runs out in 2025, and according to reports, he is open to staying at Bayern at significantly reduced wages. A rare gesture in today’s football climate.
While the club’s leadership appreciates his willingness, internal opinions are reportedly split.
Sané’s biggest issue is his inconsistency – in one game he racks up three goal contributions and looks like a top three winger in the world, and in the next, he’s a shadow of himself.
Even though he had five years to prove himself and never met expectations, he’s far from useless and still able to decide Champions League games by himself.
If we extend him, it should be strictly on reduced wages – somewhere around €10 million (£8.5 million) – and with the understanding that he’s not a guaranteed starter.
In a tight market, it’s hard to find someone with his ability for cheap. So as a rotational winger, keeping him makes sense and would be Bayern’s most cost-effective option – as long as he earns his place.
Dayot Upamecano – Excellent development, but expectations in big games must be met
Upamecano, under contract until 2026, is seeking an extension with a salary adjustment to match the recent pay rises of his teammates.
On form, he’s had a strong season, racking up MOTM awards and holding our backline together every week.
But reaction should be mixed: Although he deserves it, the club board should be cautious rewarding a player who has yet to prove reliability over a full campaign, particularly in high-stakes matches like the Champions League knockouts where a slip-up or error from him was almost guaranteed.
There’s also the financial angle: Raising his wages significantly now could backfire if his inconsistency returns.
Alternatives like Dean Huijsen are already being floated by fans – younger and with a high ceiling. The message is clear: Upamecano must prove he’s worth top-level wages, not just ride the momentum of a good few months.
🚨 Understand Dean Huijsen has release clause into his contract valid from this summer.
🔵👀 Told Chelsea really appreciate Huijsen and he’s high on the list, Bayern called to be informed.
Bournemouth are unbeaten since Huijsen entered in the starting XI, with 8 clean sheets. pic.twitter.com/B2ZyltD7rP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2025
Leon Goretzka – The trickiest call of all
Probably the most polarizing case among Bayern fans is Leon Goretzka.
His recent run of good performances has helped him reclaim a starting spot, but fans haven’t forgotten years of inconsistency and injury spells, especially in high-pressure matches.
At around €17 million/£14.5 million per year, his salary remains one of the highest in the squad – and many feel that extending him would only worsen Bayern’s wage problem.
There are no concrete extension plans yet, and perhaps rightly so. Even though his form has improved, there’s a strong belief among fans that a few good games before contract talks aren’t enough to warrant a new deal.
It’s time to move on, both from a sporting and financial perspective.
A fresh start is long overdue and guaranteed with the signing of 19-year-old Tom Bischof from Hoffenheim and Aleksandar Pavlović who are both expected to shape our midfield in the upcoming years.
There might even be further reinforcements in the middle of the park this summer, should Bayern opt to evolve reported interest in Konstantinos Karetsas.
Learn from the past — No more emotional extensions
It’s time Bayern stopped handing out extensions based on short-term form or loyalty. That’s what got us into this wage structure mess in the first place.
Sané on a reduced deal? This could make sense. Upamecano? Extend, but keep the wages in line with his performances. Goretzka? Let’s not fool ourselves. A few decent games don’t undo years of underperformance and overpaying.
Bayern need to be tougher with contracts, especially now. Pay players what they deserve, not on the basis of potential unfulfilled. Anything else is just setting us up for another round of regrets.
