On the trading block? Why Hiroki Ito is a special case at FC Bayern | OneFootball

Hiroki Ito is one of the players whose future at FC Bayern is currently up in the air. A transfer seems possible in principle—yet his situation differs significantly from that of other players in the Munich squad who are rumored to be leaving.

At FC Bayern, this summer’s transfer window isn’t just about discussing potential new signings. Planning is also in full swing regarding outgoing players.

Several players are considered candidates for a sale to free up roster space and generate additional revenue. These include Joao Palinha, Sacha Boey, and Bryan Zaragoza. It is well known that FC Bayern does not plan to keep any of these three players and would like to sell them.

Now, Hiroki Ito appears set to become the fourth player on the list of potential sales. Although Uli Hoeneß recently emphasized in an interview that FC Bayern had already earned 40 million euros from other transfers, he also made it clear that additional revenue wouldn’t hurt.

Perhaps that is why Max Eberl opened the door to the Japanese player’s departure. During the presentation of new signing Nathaniel Brown, Eberl hinted that a sale of Ito might be possible.

“If Hiroki Ito is considering a move because he himself realizes that it will be difficult to fight for a spot on the team, then we’ll take care of it. We’ve now strengthened the left side with Nene (in addition to Davies), and in central defense we naturally have three outstanding players in Minjae, Jona, and Upa,” Eberl made clear.

Eberl’s First Transfer

Nevertheless, the situation surrounding the Japanese player differs significantly from that of the other players mentioned as potential departures. Ito joined from Stuttgart in the summer of 2024 for 23.5 million euros and is considered the first player Max Eberl brought to FC Bayern.

Photo: IMAGO

Zaragoza and Boey, on the other hand, are seen more as former targets of sporting director Christoph Freund, and Palinha’s transfer in the summer of 2024 was more or less already a done deal when Eberl was hired, since the Portuguese player had been had more or less been promised.

Ito, on the other hand, is considered a true Eberl signing. Despite numerous injuries and absences, Eberl consistently stood by the Japanese player. But now even Max Eberl no longer seems fully convinced, and a departure appears entirely possible.

A 20 million euro transfer fee?

As Bild reports, the Munich club also has a clear asking price: a sale of the Japanese international is expected to bring in 20 million euros. However, there has been no concrete offer so far.