Bayern Munich reportedly hesitating about opening talks with a young defender for a new contract.
The defensive department at Bayern Munich has been in the news for the sticky contractual situation of players. The latest defender up for debate is Niklas Sule, as the German international has only 18 months left on the current deal. His contract is set to expire at the end of 2022.
According to SportBild, Bayern is hesitating with opening new contract talks with Sule unless he proves that he can be a Bavarian on a long-term basis. This report insists that there are doubts about his weight as he returned two kilograms heavier after the international break.
SportBild insists Sule was kept out of the squad against Werder Bremen due to this reason rather than him being injured. The German international was training with the squad on Monday, so it will be interesting to see whether he will be involved against Red Bull Salzburg later tonight.
Sule has been a consistent player for Die Roten ever since joining the club in 2017. He looked certain to be the first choice central defender last season, but a serious knee injury ruled out him for more than ten months. The German international also insisted that he wants to become a leader in the back four after Mats Hummels left the club last summer.
More from Bayern Strikes
- Bayern Munich: Tactical takeaways from 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman set to be fit for Manchester United clash
- Bayern Munich unlikely to move for Trevoh Chalobah in January
- Bayern Munich: Key lessons from draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich remains keen on hiring Max Eberl
The fitness issues regarding Sule are a concern, but they can surely be rectified quickly. Hansi Flick has been selecting him in the starting lineup when he returned to full fitness from a long layoff in June and August. Even at the start of this season, Sule has featured regularly in the team and delivered solid performances.
If Die Roten decides against extending Sule’s contract, then they will have to listen to offers for him next summer. With one year left on his deal, Bayern’s hand in negotiations will be weakened. Even if fitness concerns are there, handing him a new deal is essential to protect the transfer value of the German defender.
Moreover, Bayern is set to lose David Alaba next summer. The talks for a new contract between both parties have broken down, so Alaba will be leaving the club on a free transfer next year. There is also a chance that Jerome Boateng may leave next summer when his contract expires. On top of these two departures, Die Roten cannot sanction Sule’s transfer too.
There were reports last week suggesting that Sule dreams about playing for Manchester United in the future. At the moment, Die Roten should avoid this transfer to go through as Sule is a talented defender, and he is yet to enter peak years of his career. Work around fitness issues and extend his contract to protect his value.