Bayern Munich: Bayer Leverkusen want Josip Stanisic for next season
Bayern Munich have enjoyed success with the loan deals involving Bundesliga clubs this season. Alexander Nubel has been one of the goalkeepers in the league while playing for VfB Stuttgart. Bayern are set to extend Nubel’s contract after a successful loan spell at Stuttgart. Josip Stanisic is another Bayern player who is having a good loan spell in the Bundesliga.
Stanisic joined Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the last summer transfer window. He endured a slow start at Leverkusen but eventually ended up playing regularly under Xabi Alonso. The Croatian defender has played over 1000 minutes for Bayer Leverkusen in the league this season. He scored his only goal in the Bundesliga this season during the 3-0 win against Bayern.
The 24-year-old defender did a fine job for Bayern whenever he played under Julian Naglesmann in the last two seasons. Stanisic's game time significantly reduced under Thomas Tuchel. Since consistent game time was difficult to come by this season, Bayern decided to loan Stanisic out to Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bavarian club reportedly wanted to bring Stanisic back midway through the season due to injuries in the right-back position. However, Stanisic poured cold water on those reports by revealing that there was no break clause in the loan deal.
As things stand, Stanisic is expected to report for pre-season training at Bayern in the summer. According to SportBild (via iMiaSanMia), Bayer Leverkusen wants to keep Stanisic at the club beyond this season. It remains to be seen if it will be another loan deal or a permanent transfer. Stanisic’s current deal at Bayern expires in 2026.
Noussair Mazraoui and Sacha Boey are two senior right-backs in the squad. Konrad Laimer and Joshua Kimmich can also play in this position. Stanisic may find it difficult to get consistent playing time next season. Unless a senior right-back leaves Die Roten, it makes no sense for Stanisic to stay in Bavaria.
The new coach will also have a say on the future of Stanisic. The Croatian full-back is not focussing on his future as Bayer Leverkusen are competing for three trophies in the final phase of the season. Stanisic and Bayer Leverkusen can lift the Bundesliga title this weekend by beating Werder Bremen.
The realistic and clever move for Bayern will be to cash in for Stanisic and insert a buy-back or first-refusal clause to secure themselves in the future. The record Bundesliga champions will have to raise funds to complete a squad overhaul in the summer.