RELEASE CLAUSE REVEALED: DAYOT UPAMECANO’S NEW €65M EXIT OPTION BECOMES ACTIVE IN 2027
Dayot Upamecano is staying: Analyse his new 2030 Bayern Munich contract and the club's summer move for Feyenoord's Givairo Read.
Bayern Munich got a big boost last week when Dayot Upamecano finally put pen to paper on a new contract. For the past year, rumours swirled about his future, but Bayern managed to lock him in until 2030 four months before his old deal ran out.
Upamecano’s been one of Europe’s top centre-backs over the last year and a half. He’s hit his stride with Bayern, especially under Vincent Kompany. No surprise, then, that clubs like PSG and Real Madrid had their eye on him.
Bayern really hustled to get this deal over the line. They met Upamecano’s salary demands and, according to reports, included a release clause in his new contract. Keeping him around definitely shapes their transfer plans for the summer.
Speaking to Sport1 this week, Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, sounded pretty laid-back about the upcoming transfer window. “We’re not under pressure with squad planning anymore. We can take our time and see what happens. Of course, we’re watching the market, and we won’t say no to anything that helps Bayern.”
Right now, Jonathan Tah and Upamecano are Kompany’s go-to centre-backs. Kim Min-jae sits third in line, while Hiroki Ito and Josip Stanisic can fill in at the back as well. Unless someone leaves, Bayern probably won’t go searching for a new centre-back.
Kim Min-jae’s name comes up in transfer talks every window, and he could be sold, but he’s done well whenever he’s played this season.
Bayern’s focus for the summer is clear: they want a full-back, especially on the right. Sacha Boey just left for Galatasaray on loan, and the Turkish side can make the deal permanent. Honestly, Boey’s days in Munich seem over, no matter what Galatasaray decides. Raphael Guerreiro also looks set to leave when his contract runs out.
For now, Konrad Laimer is Bayern’s first-choice right-back, with Stanisic and Tom Bischof able to step in if needed. Still, Bayern want to bring in a specialist for that spot. They’ve set their sights on Feyenoord’s Givairo Read. Manchester City also want him, but Bayern feel good about their chances to sign the young right-back once the window opens.
WHY BAYERN MUNICH AND RAPHAEL GUERREIRO ARE PARTING WAYS THIS SUMMER
Bayern Munich and Raphael Guerreiro agree to part ways this June, ending a versatile three-year stint at Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich announced on Monday that it and Raphael Guerreiro have agreed not to extend his contract. The 32-year-old will leave the Allianz Arena this coming June, ending a three-year stint that began with a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2023.
The decision to part ways seems to be mutual, with both club and player aiming to finish the current season strong. During his time in Munich, the Portuguese international has been a dependable figure, contributing to Bayern’s Bundesliga title and the DFL-Supercup win. Now, attention turns to securing more silverware before Guerreiro’s departure.
Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, praised Guerreiro’s role beyond the field, highlighting the defender’s professionalism and influence in the locker room, especially during times of change for the club. Eberl remarked, “We want to thank Rapha for the time we shared: he could always be counted on on the pitch, and people with his character enrich any dressing room. The conversations with him were good, based on trust and understanding. Now we are focusing together on our goals until the summer; together we want to achieve much more.”
Throughout his time at Bayern, Guerreiro has been valued for his versatility. Described as a ‘Swiss Army knife’ by the coaching staff, he has made 89 appearances, scored 12 goals, and provided eight assists. His flexibility has allowed him to perform as a traditional left-back, wing-back, and even in midfield. This season alone, he has featured in 23 matches across all competitions, starting nine times and scoring four goals.
On the international stage, Guerreiro remains an experienced and decorated professional. With 65 caps and four goals for Portugal, he played a significant part in their Euro 2016 victory and the first UEFA Nations League triumph in 2019. He also represented Portugal in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, underscoring his enduring presence at the highest level of the game.
JAMAL MUSIALA RISKING WORLD CUP SPOT FOLLOWING LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE INJURY SETBACK
Jamal Musiala faces a race against time to be fit for Germany and Bayern Munich after a recurring leg injury flare-up.
Watching Gianluigi Donnarumma crash into Jamal Musiala’s ankle was tough. His ankle twisted horribly, and just like that, Bayern Munich lost one of its brightest stars for the first half of the season. When Musiala finally made his comeback in January against Rasenballsport Leipzig, grabbing an assist almost immediately, it felt like a breath of fresh air. He didn’t stop there; soon after, he started his first game post-injury versus PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, and, like clockwork, he found the net.
But that Leipzig match was over two months ago, and things haven’t been smooth sailing since. Musiala has only started two more games. Then, during the Champions League tie against Atalanta Bergamo, pain flared up in his leg again. Now, he’s at risk of missing both Germany’s last international break before the World Cup and some of Bayern’s most critical matches from March through April.
Everyone’s feeling the frustration – fans, coaches, you name it. All eyes are on when Bayern’s number 10 will finally be back to full speed for club and country. Both Bayern’s head coach, Vincent Kompany and Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann need to figure out how to navigate Musiala’s recovery during the international break.
Someone asked Kompany about all this before the second Atalanta leg. He said:
"I’ll call Julian Nagelsmann at some point; I haven’t done it yet, so, just to be clear, we haven’t spoken," Kompany said, "We’re on the same page here: we both want a fully fit Jamal Musiala. If he’s in top shape for Bayern, he’ll be in top shape for Germany. He’ll get back to his best; it’s just a matter of time. We have the same priorities."
Sure, their interests are aligned, but the timing isn’t. Kompany wants Musiala in the lineup immediately, while Nagelsmann’s likely playing it safe, not in any rush to throw him back in. In the end, everything comes down to getting Musiala fully fit and firing again. After the year he’s had, he deserves it. So does everyone, hoping to see him at his best.
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