Eberl does not give Musiala and Kimmich an “ultimatum”

In FC Bayern Munich’s contract poker with the intensely entangled national soccer players Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich, sports director Max Eberl cannot report any completion at the beginning of the new year. The negotiator still does not want to set time limits.

“I never spoke of any ultimatum along the lines of, now it’s Christmas, now the players have time to think and then they have to say yes or no. I never said that, nor would I,” said Eberl after the Bundesliga leaders’ 6-0 win in the friendly at Red Bull Salzburg on Monday evening. The sick Musiala (flu) was missing there, as was captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after he broke his ribs.

“At some point there has to be clarity”

Nevertheless, it is clear that “at some point in the next few weeks and months there must of course be clarity for everyone involved,” said Eberl about the time frame: “We will continue to push this forward.”

Priority continues to be given to successful negotiations with the 21-year-old offensive player Musiala (contract until 2026) and DFB captain Kimmich (29), who could leave the club for free in the summer, as could Leroy Sané or Alphonso Davies, whose contracts also expire on June 30th end.

“We will continue to speak calmly with the players and agents,” announced Eberl. “And of course you want to have decisions at some point.” Ultimately, questions about the future shouldn’t cause unrest over the course of the second half of the season. “We all have an interest in making this season the best it can be. At the long end we have to have the handshake, you move on. Or you get the statement, listen, sorry, but I don’t want to. Then it’s okay – and we’ll deal with it.”

Müller jokes: “Haven’t I ever commented on that?”

The contract extension with goalkeepers Manuel Neuer (38) and Sven Ulreich (36) by one year is currently considered a formality. Thomas Müller’s contract also expires at the end of the season. The 35-year-old attacker laughed away questions in Salzburg about his future and a possible end to his career this summer. “Have I never commented on this before?” There is no new status, he then said. He is “very relaxed” and “everything is open”.