Bayern Munich have told Lennart Karl he is an important part of their plans but are not yet ready to negotiate a new contract with the 18-year-old, according to Bayern insider Christian Falke.
Karl’s current pre-tax salary is approximately 2.5m euros (£2.08m) a year. Bayern are understood to be waiting for clarity over Michael Olise’s future before deciding their next steps with the highly rated teenager.
Karl recently attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony and finished third in the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player, behind Yamal. Falke described him as an unusual character who stands out both on and off the pitch, and said Bayern were aware that European rivals could try to sign him.
An internal meeting has taken place between Bayern and Karl’s representatives, during which the club stressed its satisfaction with his progress. However, Bayern do not yet feel the time is right to discuss an improved deal.
Olise has three years left on his current contract and is not among the club’s highest earners. Bayern could extend the France international’s deal by two years and increase his salary, but the club also wants to show him that it trusts him and wants him to remain in Munich for as long as possible. Falke said there are currently no contract negotiations and that Bayern hopes to make a decision by next summer.
The club’s immediate priority is an extension for Ballon d’Or winner Kane. Olise could then become the subject of talks, although there has been no indication that he has made a decision.
Upamecano and Musiala situations
Dayot Upamecano does have a release clause in his contract, believed outside the club to be about 65m euros (£54.3m). That figure is almost half the value of the clause in his previous deal.
The clause was a key part of negotiations, while disagreements over the signing fee caused tension between Bayern and the player’s agent. Bayern accept the clause but do not want it to become effective immediately.
Falke said Upamecano wants to stay, despite previous fears that he could leave. After direct discussions, the France defender made clear that Bayern was his club and that he had no interest in departing. His close relationship with coach Vincent Kompany is also viewed as significant, meaning the clause is not expected to be activated in the short term.
Jamal Musiala is recovering from a difficult period. He suffered a severe injury after colliding with Donnarumma at the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States, then developed a treatable neurological dysfunction that causes seizures. Since beginning medication, he has reportedly had no further seizures, but he has subsequently suffered hamstring problems.
Uli Hoeneß has raised concerns about Musiala’s salary, saying the Germany international is one of Bayern’s highest-paid players and questioning whether he can immediately return to his previous level. Musiala’s camp does not agree with the subject being discussed publicly, while Kompany had said the player was training at his best before the injury.
Musiala, who has temporarily left Klopp’s Germany national team, is now able to undertake more training in Munich. Kane overtook him as Bayern’s highest-paid player after signing a new contract.
Hoeneß believes a player who cannot perform as before could voluntarily give up part of his salary, although no player has done so and Falke does not expect Musiala to follow that route. He added that Hoeneß was not acting maliciously, but was prepared to be the “bad guy” if he believed it served Bayern’s interests.
Bayern monitoring attacking and defensive options
Bayern are interested in Borussia Monchengladbach player Wael Mohya, but not specifically because of concerns about Musiala’s health. The club is looking for a young attacking player who can develop in Munich without an immediate guarantee of a starting place.
Mohya can operate in Musiala’s position and elsewhere across the forward line. His call-up by Klopp’s Germany national team has increased attention, although Falke said it was too early to suggest he would join Bayern next summer. His physical condition is not yet considered sufficient for him to be a “Bayern player”, but the club regard him as an attractive prospect.
Oskar Pietuszewski has a release clause of approximately 60m euros (£50.1m) at Porto. Bayern also considered a 70m-euro (£58.4m) bid for Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha last summer, and Ngumoha is expected to remain a subject next summer.
Both players can operate on either wing. Bayern want to sign a player in that position to provide competition and share minutes behind Luis Diaz. Falke noted similarities between Pietuszewski and the Colombia international, who also played for Porto before moving to Liverpool and then Bayern.
Bayern will not pursue Martin Zubimendi in the January transfer window. The Espanyol player was previously on the club’s list and had been scouted, with contact made before his move to the Premier League, but the deal did not happen. Bayern now have no midfield places available, would face a high transfer fee and are prioritising other positions.
Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch is being monitored by Liverpool, Bayern and other leading clubs. Initially viewed by Klopp as a possible right-back option, the 20-year-old can also cover at centre-back after an injury created a need there.
Jeltsch is considered young, versatile, talented and affordable. Bayern are also following Tiago Tomas, while Jeltsch is on the list of several Premier League clubs. Falke does not expect England to be his next destination, saying the defender understands he can progress gradually, despite continued scouting visits such as those recently made by Liverpool.
No approach for Danks
Bayern say they have received no contact about Aaron Danks joining Manchester United’s coaching staff.
Danks has impressed while Kompany has been absent, and Bayern are pleased to have him because Kompany has not yet fully returned. The Belgian coach is back at Sabener Straße for rehabilitation training and is moving closer to a return.
If Manchester United do make a serious move for Danks, Bayern would not stand in his way because it would represent a major opportunity. So far, however, Falke said there had been no significant progress from the club.
