The Bayern Insider: Luis Diaz forcing Munich’s hand as Florian Wirtz regen enters shortlist
Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lennart Karl, and Wael Mohya.
Today’s top stories
Do Bayern have a left wing transfer plan after Luis Diaz picked up an injury?
Has Erling Haaland become a transfer topic at Bayern Munich?
Could Bayern sign their own Florian Wirtz?
And plenty more on Vincent Karl, Vincent Kompany, Luis Diaz & Uli Hoeneß
The best news from the cup match – where Bayern won 6-1 against FC Magdeburg – came after the tie when head of sport Max Eberl confirmed that Vincent Kompany left the hospital in the afternoon. In the morning, it wasn’t clear; the bosses were making phone calls to get an update on the situation. But then Vincent Kompany was made aware that he would be allowed to leave the hospital, which is great news! He’ll have to keep taking his medicine and the Belgian needs a lot of quiet and rest at home. We won’t see him on the bench again before the next international break. So, yes, Kompany will miss the Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund, the Champions League visit of Atletico Madrid next week, as well as the match with Mainz. But everyone thinks Vincent Kompany should be back for the match with FC Köln after the break. We are really hoping that he’s feeling much better by then!
Harry Kane wins the Ballon d’Or!
We were all really happy to learn that Harry Kane had won the Ballon d’Or; it was our big wish for his contributions in the last year to be recognised. Of course, you never know what all the other journalists across the globe are thinking. Indeed, I heard that it was very, very close between Kane and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. The France international was initially leading the race before his Bayern Munich counterpart clawed his way back to the top. The points were so close – closer even than in 2024 when Rodri was coming up against Vinicius Jr and there were only 41 points to separate the pair.
For those unfamiliar with the process: there are 100 journalists who have to vote on a list of 30 football stars. They have to choose a top 10, and they award points from first to tenth (the top spot awards 15 points, second place 12, and so on). It was a really, really close call. But, ultimately, you have to say that Harry Kane deserves it, and Bayern Munich are really pleased with the outcome. If you were keeping a close eye on Michael Olise, the Frenchman was spotted in the first row, and he looked delighted for his teammate. One thought must have surely crossed his mind as he watched Kane walk up to accept the Ballon d’Or: you can stay at Bayern Munich and win the Ballon d’Or. It’s a good thing to know for his future!
Harry Kane, it has to be emphasised, had a massive impact on the Bayern Munich team. He has a role that nobody has really played before. Even our bundestrainer, Jurgen Klopp, was surprised by the fact that you can often find Kane defending so deep inside his own half. But this is one of the secrets of Bayern Munich; Vincent Kompany is fine with Kane playing this role because he knows the Englishman can have a big impact on the game either inside the box, in the middle of the park or even deep inside his own defensive third. No defender can really ever pinpoint the former Tottenham striker, never mind come up with an appropriate way of mitigating his unique kind of threat. So, that makes it really complicated! It’s a new role in modern football – the Harry Kane role – and we’re very happy that we have this special player no one knows how to defend against.
What’s the latest on the Harry Kane contract talks?
It is NOT TRUE There are final details to clear – that’s what we’ve been hearing from Bayern Munich. But the two parties are in total agreement otherwise; Kane will sign a new contract until 2029. There are small details and clauses to be cleared but things are accelerating now. Before the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, Bayern were always asking, ‘Could we talk about the contract?’ And the answer was always that Kane was focusing on the ceremony. I’m now hearing that there could be talks next week, and from there we could hear about a new contract being signed very soon.
Is Erling Haaland now a topic at Bayern Munich?
I spoke to Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen on the topic of Erling Haaland and the message coming from the club is pretty clear: FC Bayern won’t go for Erling Haaland. He told me that, in Harry Kane, the club already has the best striker in world football. Not to mention a great offensive line overall! So Bayern Munich won’t move for Haaland – regardless of the outcome of the Sky Blues’ appeal following the Premier League’s investigation into their reported financial doping.
I also posed the question as to whether they could afford a player like Haaland in a future window. Dreesen pointed to the arrivals of Kane, Michael Olise and Luis Diaz from the Premier League. So there was a keenness to stress that Bayern Munich can afford, more or less, any player they want across the globe. However, they don’t have to make that financially significant move in the market because they already have a good team and they’re confident in the options available. So… no place for Erling Haaland at Bayern Munich, I’m afraid!
Does Luis Diaz’s injury mean Bayern’s hand is forced in January?
It is TRUE: Bayern Munich are now looking at the injury of Luis Diaz – they’re not sure exactly how long the Colombian will be out for (in the beginning, I heard four weeks, then six weeks, but now it’s “open”) – as potential encouragement to bolster the forward line. Even Diaz has come out on record to state that he’d be open to FC Bayern signing a left winger who could rotate with him and give him a break from time to time. And now, with the injury, this is why Bayern Munich are looking at the position. Normally, Bayern wouldn’t do anything with the winter break, but if Diaz isn’t totally fit, perhaps they’ll search in this position. There is a shortlist they can work with.
Uli Hoeneß goes public on Lennart Karl
The latest Uli Hoeneß statement on Lennart Karl was a typical one from the FC Bayern chief. He’s made similar kinds of comments in the past about previous Bayern players. I remember when he spoke out against Bastian Schweinsteiger when there was a special case about his behaviour off the pitch (dying his hair bleach-blonde and having black nails). Uli had to have a talk with him then as well. Uli likes to push people’s buttons or, as we say in Germany, walk on the cookie until the sugar falls out. It’s the same case with Lennart Karl. It’s worth pointing out that Hoeneß, who is on the supervisory board, isn’t involved in the daily business of the club. Those who are involved in the daily business are very confident in Karl. They want to keep him.
Of course, the Premier League is also reading what is being said in Germany. I heard that Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United saw that there is something going on around Lennart Karl. Ultimately, when there’s a player at the Ballon d ‘Or ceremony who finished fourth in the Men’s Kopa Trophy (behind Warren Zaire-Emery, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal), he’s going to be interesting to other clubs. So calls have been made to ascertain what’s going on with the player and whether anyone’s not totally satisfied with the young German in Munich. He’s got a value of €60m [£50.1m], so it’s more than possible for Premier League clubs. It’s getting interesting. Until now, there haven’t been any talks over a new contract. When he was 18, he was given a professional contract until 2029 (the same expiry date as Michael Olise’s terms). So, we have to see what happens with the negotiations. Lennart Karl was very professional about Uli Hoeneß’s comments and played very well in the DFB Pokal win over Magdeburg. Ultimately, with injuries in the squad, Bayern Munich really need him at the moment.
Vincent Karl follows in his older brother’s footsteps
Vincent Karl’s move to Viktoria Aschaffenburg seems to be preparation for a potential move to Bayern Munich. FC Bayern are very interested in this player. At 13 years of age, this is absolutely an age Bayern can go for. The parents are already thinking of moving to Munich, so you see there are some things piecing together that could eventually end up with a transfer to Bayern. More Karl – and not less Karl (amid the links between Lennart and the Premier League) – at the club can never be a bad thing.
Wael Mohya has caught FC Bayern’s eye
It is TRUE: Bayern Munich are paying close attention to Wael Mohya (17). I can say that Bayern knocked on the door of Mohya’s side. He’s an interesting player and, as we’ve mentioned before, Bayern are looking to bolster their offensive ranks. The teenager is more of a central player but he can also play on the left wing. He’s young and not so expensive at the moment, with a contract running until 2028. The value is around €17m [£14.2m] but I think Bayern Munich would have to pay more than that. Nonetheless, this is one idea they have inside the club and Mohya is on the shortlist. I can say that there are also players from Portugal and from the Premier League on the shortlist. One player, as everyone knows, is at Liverpool.
