After the transfer window: More challenges ahead for Eberl at Bayern | OneFootball

As soon as the transfer window closes, the next challenge awaits the FC Bayern officials. Four key players face an uncertain future, with their contracts expiring at the end of the season. Sports director Max Eberl must find answers – and as soon as possible.

The urgency is most evident with Dayot Upamecano. The Frenchman has matured into the defense chief under Vincent Kompany and plays a central role alongside Jonathan Tah. He had already signaled in the spring that he would like to extend his contract – nothing has happened so far.

The reason: money. According to L’Équipe, he is apparently demanding a significant increase. Bayern hesitates – also because Real Madrid has the defender in their sights. The contracts of David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger expire in 2026, so action is needed. A free transfer departure of Upamecano would be a sporting and economic disaster for FCB.

The situation is quite different with Manuel Neuer. The 39-year-old is still the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper and captain, and a possible World Cup comeback beckons next summer. If he remains injury-free, another extension is not out of the question – even if it would probably only be for one year. For Bayern, his stay would mainly be a stabilizing factor in an already delicate contract phase.

Goretzka and Gnabry: Future with Question Marks

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The situation is trickier with Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry. Both are among the top earners in the squad, but have not always justified their salaries lately. While Goretzka is currently a fixture and in strong early form, Gnabry is fighting for consistency. Both are likely to be topics at the 2026 World Cup – and also at Bayern.

However, they would probably have to accept significant salary cuts to stay in Munich. Whether the players are willing to do so is questionable. What is clear is: If FCB lets them leave on a free transfer as well, the replacements will be expensive. How costly a rebuild can be was shown with Luis Díaz (€70 million) and Nicolas Jackson (€16.5 million loan fee plus purchase option of €65 million).

Eberl Facing Delicate Months

For Max Eberl, the work does not end with the closing of the transfer window – it practically begins anew. Extend or replace, is the old refrain that will accompany the sports director in the coming months. The fact that it involves four regular players does not make the task any easier.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.