The summer transfer window is four months away, but Bayern Munich has already started preparing for next season. The German Champions are looking to sort out the short-term and long-term futures of various key players before the end of the current campaign. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is one of the players that will be out of contract in the summer.
According to Sport1, Bayern has been pleased with the impact of Choupo-Moting at the club since joining on a free transfer at the end of the last transfer window. The German Champions have been impressed by Choupo-Moting’s professionalism in training despite being a squad rotation player.
As per this report, Hansi Flick is also happy with Choupo-Moting, and he would like the experienced striker to stay at the club for next season. The former Paris Saint-Germain striker had signed a one-year deal in October, so talks between both parties regarding an extension are likely to take place soon as per Sport1.
Choupo-Moting was brought in by Die Roten to provide cover for Robert Lewandowski. Since it is a unique season with congestion of fixtures, the German Champions looked for a backup striker that could provide presence upfront and provide rest to Lewandowski whenever it is possible.
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The former PSG striker has played this role to perfection. He has been involved in three goals across 17 appearances in all competitions. Most of the time, he has come on for small cameos when Flick has been looking to give Lewandowski some rest when the game is done and dusted.
If Bayern decides to give Choupo-Moting one year contract extension, then Joshua Zirkzee surely doesn’t feature in the immediate plans of the club. The Dutch striker impressed last season in limited opportunities, but he has found it difficult to get game time at senior level this season. He joined Parma on loan during the winter window, with the Italian club having an option to buy him permanently in summer.
Since Lewandowski is not getting younger, managing his workload is essential to extract the best out of him in the next few seasons. Choupo-Moting cannot replace him, but he can provide the presence up top whenever the Polish striker needs rest. Moreover, both of them can play together if Flick opts for 4-4-2 formation as he did against Arminia Bielefeld on Monday.
Meanwhile, David Alaba confirmed on Tuesday that he would be leaving Bayern after spending a glorious decade at the club. The Austrian defender didn’t announce his next destination, but multiple clubs are fighting for his services. The German Champions are also close to agreeing to five year deal with Jamal Musiala, as per Guardian. Over the last weekend, Flick insisted that Bayern is the best club for Musiala’s development.