Former outcast on the rise: This Bayern target could be a real bargain | OneFootball

A striker that nobody in Dortmund likes? Bayern’s interest is as natural as beer at Oktoberfest. Since Father Time is also breathing down Harry Kane’s neck, the record champions will have to start looking for a successor sooner rather than later. One alleged candidate is currently in top form—and might soon be available at a bargain price.

BVB’s media department probably already had the match report for their successful Champions League opener ready to go. Then Dušan Vlahović happened. Deep into stoppage time last week, the Juve super-sub snatched what seemed a certain victory away from Dortmund with a goal and an assist. Before that, the Serb had already scored the temporary 2-2 equalizer. From the Black and Yellows’ perspective, Vlahović was the difference between a commanding 4-2 win and a spectacular 4-4 draw.

That’s why it’s initially surprising that 'Bild' only recently reported on Bayern’s interest. Vlahović is performing at the highest level, is in his footballing prime at 25, and, at 1.90 meters tall and weighing 88 kilograms, has the ideal build for a center-forward. Max Eberl, go get transfer approval from Uli Hoeneß! Or?

There are a few problems. Juventus was desperate to offload the in-form striker this summer and brought in strong competition with Lois Openda and Jonathan David. But no buyer could be found, because Vlahović’s salary is astronomical. He is said to pocket twelve million euros (net!) per year. No player in Serie A earns more.

📸 MARCO BERTORELLO - AFP or licensors

A transfer drama that already has several acts. In January 2022, the Turin club pried the Serbian international away from Florence for 83.5 million euros. An expensive coup, orchestrated by the then-generous club management led by Andrea Agnelli. He had to resign in November 2022 after being accused of falsifying financial statements—a crime for which he was recently sentenced to 20 months probation.

This is also why his successors have since been trying to cut costs, which runs counter to Vlahović’s salary. The top earner (understandably) rejected several offers for an early contract extension on reduced terms. On the sporting side, he has also provided few arguments for his princely pay in the meantime. So far, he has scored 62 goals in 150 games for the Old Lady. In addition, minor injuries have repeatedly slowed Vlahović just as he seemed to be gaining momentum. These three shortcomings led to the third most expensive winter transfer of all time occasionally finding himself in the stands for tactical reasons, and now heading toward free agency in summer 2026.

📸 MARCO BERTORELLO - AFP or licensors

That’s when Harry Kane will be celebrating his 33rd birthday. The Englishman is still showing no signs of aging, but action will definitely be needed at Säbener Straße, as the Bayern striker’s contract expires a year later. If Munich want to recoup at least a small part of the roughly 95 million euros they invested in 2023, a sale next summer would likely be the most lucrative option.

There are already interested parties. Thomas Frank, head coach at Kane’s former club Tottenham Hotspur, recently said: “If he wants to come to us, he’s more than welcome!” There’s also a sporting challenge waiting for the Three Lions captain in his homeland. Kane is 48 goals short of becoming the Premier League’s all-time top scorer—a feat that’s certainly achievable in two good or three solid seasons.

If it looks like Kane wants to take on that challenge and Bayern’s interest in Vlahović becomes concrete, the German record champions could gamble on a bargain. Vlahović’s interim intention to sit out his lucrative contract at Juve is probably based on the certainty that he won’t be offered such a lucrative deal again—at least not in a top European league.

However, the Serb still seems to have the ambition to compete at the highest level. “I’m never satisfied, I always want more. Today it was two goals and an assist, but I wanted a hat-trick,” he told 'Sky Italia' after his three scorer points against BVB. Bayern can offer him that stage. Financially, 'Bild' reporter Christian Falk also believes on the 'Bayern Insider' podcast that the star striker would be affordable, “especially if Harry Kane’s salary becomes available.”

That is currently said to be around 24 million euros gross per year, which is on a similar level. Unlike the two-time Bundesliga top scorer, however, Vlahović would not cost a transfer fee in summer 2026 and, at 25, would offer the potential for a lucrative resale for several years. If his form dips a bit again next July, there might even be some wiggle room on salary expectations.

But only then does the deal make sense. An early purchase carries significant risks. What if Kane wants to stay? Would the two work together? Could even the ultra-wealthy Bayern run into financial trouble? A transfer fee plus a similarly high salary would have to be paid for a striker who is prone to fluctuations in form. Then Munich could suddenly be stuck with an expensive misunderstanding—and in Dortmund, fans might suddenly have good things to say about Dušan Vlahović.

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

📸 Valerio Pennicino - 2025 Valerio Pennicino