Bayern Munich learning lessons from David Alaba negotiations

If David Alaba’s prolonged and excruciating negotiations have taught Bayern Munich anything, it is that the club needs to be more proactive when it comes to renegotiating with key players.

Per a report from kicker’s print edition, Bayern Munich has looked at Alaba’s situation and determined that it needs to start examining the contracts for Leon Goretzka, Niklas Süle, and Corentin Tolisso much earlier than it had planned. The respective contracts for all three players expire in 2022.

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Goretzka (25), Sule (25), and Tolisso (26) are all entering that mid-career phase of their football playing lives and are each in a unique spot when it comes to roster composition. For his part, Goretzka has developed into one of Germany’s finest midfielders and is now being mentioned among the world’s best players at the position. Still, competition on the Bayern Munich roster is fierce.

Enter Tolisso, who might have the hardest decision to make among the aforementioned trio. Tolisso is a starting-quality midfielder on a team where he is currently the fourth choice for three positions. With superb offensive talent and the ability to go box-to-box, Tolisso could be a very popular transfer target.

Süle, meanwhile, has the physical tools to be a rock at center-back for the next half-decade, but Bayern’s central defense is yet another area where competition is heavy. With Alaba, Jerome Boateng, and Lucas Hernandez all considered starting-quality, and youngsters Chris Richards, Tanguy Nianzou, Bright Arrey-Mbi, and Darmstadt-loanee Lars Lukas Mai all considered good prospects at the position, center-back is a crowded position. That does not even include current right-back Benjamin Pavard, who is considered a solid player at center-back as well.

Certainly, there will be some movement among the players on the roster from the central defensive unit. Will Süle be among them? We’ll likely find out soon.

A trump card for all three players is the financial climate for clubs as they battle their internal finances during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Goretzka, Tolisso, and Süle, their upcoming contract negotiations will represent the primary chance to ensure financial security for the rest of their lives.

Pandemic or not, the players — and their agents — will be looking to get paid. Regardless, Alaba’s back-and-forth with Bayern Munich has opened the club’s eyes to how letting things linger too long can cause undue stress within the organization.

Expect Bayern Munich to start approaching players like Goretzka, Tolisso, and Süle early in 2021.