3 Things Bayern Must Do Before January Next Year

Bayern Munich has had a relatively smooth start to the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign with two wins, but there is still work to be done to perfect the team.

After finalizing the deal with young and relatively inexperienced coach Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich’s management has been active in the transfer market, bringing in three quality signings: Michael Olise, Joao Palhinha, and Hiroki Ito.

While not spectacular, victories against Wolfsburg (3-2) and Freiburg (2-0) have provided a good start for the Bavarian giants. However, if they hope to compete in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, Bayern must address the following three issues before January next year.

Keep Joshua Kimmich

After a summer filled with transfer rumors linking him to Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, Kimmich ultimately stayed with Bayern Munich. However, the story isn’t over yet, as the two sides have yet to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Kimmich is considered an indispensable player by coach Kompany and has played in both of Bayern’s matches so far. That is why many Bayern fans are urging the club’s management to quickly secure a new deal with the 29-year-old midfielder.

Joshua Kimmich’s current contract with Bayern Munich only runs until next summer, meaning that from January, other clubs can freely negotiate with him without Bayern’s permission. Losing the German international would be a severe blow to coach Kompany’s ambitions.

Continue Offloading Unwanted Players

Bayern struggled to trim their squad over the summer. Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman were rumored to be sold when the transfer window opened, but all three ended up staying. This was due to the club’s management not being firm enough in their squad reduction plans.

Between now and January, Bayern Munich needs to reassess whether this trio still holds value under coach Vincent Kompany, based on their playing time. If there are no positive signs, the club needs to act decisively to streamline the squad and reduce the wage bill.

Reach an Agreement with Jonathan Tah

Bayern wanted to sign Jonathan Tah during the summer transfer window. They identified the German international as their top target for the center-back position, someone who could bring quality and experience. Bayern also reached a personal agreement with Tah, but they couldn’t convince Bayer Leverkusen.

The German international ultimately stayed at the BayArena with less than 12 months remaining on his contract. Given his quality, Tah will likely attract interest from several major European clubs. Bayern’s task is to reach an agreement with Tah and his representatives before January.