Transfer Radar: The Bayern players that can sign contracts this winter

The January transfer window is right around the corner and for Bayern Munich, it means that a handful of players could potentially be signing contracts to leave the club in the summer. At the very least, it means that interested clubs can now begin speaking with players about potential moves without having to first contact Bayern. While no one might actually leave in the winter, it could still be a very significant period for Bayern.

Bayern has a total of six players whose contracts expire at the end of this season: David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, Douglas Costa, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Ron-Thorben Hoffmann (Az). Additionally, it looks likely that Angelo Stiller will be leaving the club as it was reported last week that he had no plans of renewing his contract at Bayern. Hansi Flick has said that he eventually plans on using Tiago Dantas in the senior squad, so it’s likely Bayern will trigger the buy option in his loan clause from Benfica, but nothing is 100% certain yet on that front.

For Alaba, he is the most likely to leave and Real Madrid currently leads the race to sign him. Contract negotiations had been at a standstill for the better part of the past six months between Alaba, his agent, and Bayern’s front office and no progress was made due to his high salary demands. He can technically sign an agreement this January to leave the club in the summer, which would mean Bayern would get nothing in return for the player.

Boateng has recently said that he’s 100% open to extending his contract at Bayern, but it’s unclear at this point whether or not the feeling is the same amongst the club’s front office. With Alaba’s departure all but certain, Bayern won’t want to lose much more depth in defense unless they plan on springing for reinforcements either this winter or summer. Of course, they still have Niklas Sule, Lucas Hernandez and Tanguy Nianzou to play at center back, but they’ll also likely be losing Javi Martinez by this summer as he looks set to make a return to La Liga.

Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Ron-Thorben Hoffmann has spent the majority of his time this season with Bayern’s reserves, serving as third choice keeper behind Manuel Neuer and Alexander Nübel. His contract expires at the end of the season and it looks increasingly likely that he will be pushing for a move elsewhere.

For what it’s worth, too, it’s likely that both Douglas Costa and Choupo-Moting will return to their parents clubs (Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain) at the end of their loan spells at the end of this season.