Hasan Salihamidzic says Bayern remain relaxed over contract talks for a number of their players

The contracts of several veteran players on Bayern Munich’s roster are set to expire next year: Thomas Muller, David Alaba, Javi Martinez, Thiago Alcantara, and Manuel Neuer all are currently under contract until 2021, so the club needs to figure out what it plans on doing with all of them. Since Bayern’s front office has hinted that a big summer could be on tap in the transfer window, as they potentially try to acquire both Leroy Sané and Kai Havertz, that could mean that some players will be offloaded.

Speaking after Bayern’s 4-3 win over Hoffenheim in the DFB-Pokal, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said that the club is remaining calm about upcoming contract talks (Daily Mail):

We will certainly have talks, but in the next few weeks we will concentrate on the competitions. It’s important that we are totally focused on the games in the upcoming weeks. That’s where the focus lies. We have had good experience with concentrating on the competitions first and that’s what we will do. But like I said before, we will have talks, the players know about it and there are no problems.

Difficult decisions: Neuer and Javi

In light of the resurgent form that Müller, Alaba, and Thiago are in, it’s more than likely that all three players will be extended at least for another season. It remains to be seen, however, what will happen with Neuer and Javi. Neuer has already expressed his frustration at the prospect of conceding any playing time to Alexander Nübel next season when arrives from Schalke. It’s clear that there’s a plan for Nübel to be Neuer’s natural successor at Bayern, even though Neuer wants to remain the number 1 keeper.

As for Javi Martinez, he’s struggled with injuries this season and he’s been sidelined for the past month with a hamstring injury. Even before sustaining his injury, he had received only a handful of starts between both Niko Kovac and Hansi Flick, predominantly as substitute or fill-in center-back. In his case, if he wants to be getting more consistent minutes when he’s healthy and fully fit, he may be looking to go elsewhere before his contract expires.