This guest post was written by Zach Lowy, Chief Editor and Social Media Manager of BreakingTheLines.com. Zach is a successful journalist and can be followed at @ZachLowy on X and @zachlowy.bsky.social
on Bluesky. Zach’s work can also be found on FotMob, BetUS and others.
All things considered, it has been a fantastic 2025 for Bayern Munich. The Bavarians have wrestled the Bundesliga title back from Bayer Leverkusen, and they are on pace to claim their 13th league title in 14 years. Vincent Kompany’s side currently sit nine points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, having scored more than twice as many goals (55) as BVB in addition to boasting the best defensive record in the league. And as far as their long-term future is concerned, they’ve also extended the contracts of quite a few key players like Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies, tying them down to the Allianz Arena for the foreseeable future.
Nevertheless, there are still quite a few Bayern players whose contract situations remain up in the air. Today, we’re taking a look at the players who are entering the final six months of their contracts in Munich.
Sven Ulreich
Sven Ulreich has spent the past decade as Bayern’s backup goalkeeper (apart from a season at Hamburger SV), and whilst his most memorable moment may very well have been his error in the 2018 UEFA Champions League semifinal vs. Real Madrid, he’s nevertheless made his mark, winning the club’s Player of the Season in 2017/18. He’s played over 100 times for Bayern, won every trophy there is to win in world football, and emerged as a viable stand-in for Manuel Neuer over the years. Having penned a one-year extension on July 29, Ulreich remains an important squad player for Bayern, even if he hasn’t played for the club since September 2024. However, at nearly 38 years of age, he may very well decide to hang up his boots after one final trophy-laden campaign in Munich.
Serge Gnabry
Widely expected to be culled in Bayern’s attacking rebuild, Serge Gnabry nevertheless stayed put in Munich – as opposed to Kingsley Coman, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané, who left. This, combined with the long-term injury to Musiala, has forced Gnabry to step up and deliver, and he’s done just that, emerging as a key figure in Bayern’s attack and earning praise from the likes of Rod Underwood and Kevin Egan. With Bayern severely undermanned in the final third, Gnabry has elevated his game and delivered 5 goals and 8 assists thus far, taking his tally to 98 goals and 69 assists in 306 appearances. He may be on the wrong side of 30, but there’s still plenty of oil left in Gnabry’s tank, and Bayern should be doing everything they can to extend his deal for the next few years.
Leon Goretzka
You’d be hard-pressed to find a Bayern player who alienates fans and managers quite like Leon Goretzka. Ever since arriving in 2018, Goretzka has emerged as a favorite for a number of different managers like Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel thanks to his intense running style, his tough tackling approach, his impressive anticipation, and his combative aerial presence. He’s never been the type to show off his technically graceful ball-carrying skills like Thiago, but he has nevertheless proven essential in Bayern’s dynasty and remains a crucial figure under Kompany. However, with the likes of Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United showing interest, it remains to be seen if Bayern should get drawn into a bidding war and offer a lucrative wage for a player who will turn 31 in just a few weeks.
Raphaël Guerreiro
Sometimes, the biggest ability is availability, and that’s proven to be the case with Raphaël Guerreiro. After joining on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund, Guerreiro suffered an injury-riddled 2023/24 season as Bayern’s run of 11 straight league titles came to an end. However, he bounced back in stellar fashion by scoring 5 goals and 3 assists in 38 appearances, operating mainly as a left back but also filling in at right back and attacking midfielder. He missed just two weeks with a torn muscle fiber, by which time Bayern had already sealed the title, and this season, he’s missed just one match due to an abdominal injury and three due to rest. Capable of deputizing in a number of positions, Guerreiro’s versatility and availability may just earn him a new contract.
Manuel Neuer
All good things come to an end, and that might very well be the case with Manuel Neuer. Since making his professional debut in 2006, Manuel Neuer has done it all from winning the World Cup and Champions League to pioneering a new style of goalkeeping, prompting many pundits like Glenn Davis to declare him one of the greatest to ever player in the position. Whilst he retired from international football in 2024, Neuer remains Bayern’s first-choice goalkeeper, although it’s safe to say that he’s showing his age this season. At nearly 40 years of age, Neuer isn’t anywhere near as quick or imposing as he once was, and truth be told, he’s no longer one of the game’s top goalkeepers. It may very well be time to turn the page and allow a younger goalkeeper like Jonas Urbig to stake his claim between the sticks.
Nicolas Jackson
Out of the different players in this list, nobody has shown as little in a Bayern shirt as Nicolas Jackson. Since joining on loan from Chelsea, Jackson has scored 5 goals and 1 assist in 18 appearances, although many of those appearances have come off the bench. With Senegal expected to go far in the Africa Cup of Nations, it seems just about impossible that Jackson will start the 40 games necessary to force Bayern into triggering his obligation to buy for around €65m. Whilst Bayern could very well renegotiate terms and attempt to sign the Senegalese striker for a lower fee, it’s unlikely that he’d want to sign up for a few years of being Harry Kane’s reserve.
Dayot Upamecano
Last but not least, we’ve got Dayot Upamecano, who, with just a few months left on his deal is proving to be a prized commodity. Real Madrid are looking to sign him on a Bosman transfer, the latest defender to join on a free after Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba and Trent Alexander-Arnold. It’s why Bayern need to act fast in order to secure the future of one of the best central defenders in the game. Whilst many casuals have defined him by a few high-profile errors in the UEFA Champions League, Upamecano has proven a consistent force at the back thanks to his stellar ball-playing ability and his aggressive tackling off the ball, and at 27, he’s only going to improve. Make no mistake: Upamecano is Bayern’s biggest contract extension priority right now.
This guest post was written by Zach Lowy, Chief Editor and Social Media Manager of BreakingTheLines.com. Zach is a successful journalist and can be followed at @ZachLowy on X and @zachlowy.bsky.social on Bluesky. Zach’s work can also be found on FotMob, BetUS and others.
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