Bayern’s brutal week: Musiala heartbreak, Müller exit, transfer chaos | OneFootball

Bayern Munich’s campaign at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has come to a disappointing end, knocked out in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain with a 2-0 defeat, as reported by Bavarian Football Works and FCBInside. Adding to their woes, the club was dealt a major blow with a serious injury to Jamal Musiala, who fractured his fibula following a challenge from PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Musiala is now expected to miss four to five months.

Musiala, speaking for the first time since his operation, posted a message to supporters expressing gratitude for their support and stating, “The operation went very well, I am receiving good care. I wanted to say, no one is at fault. These things happen in football, and I’ll use this time to regain strength and confidence. I look forward to seeing you all again.” Musiala also aimed to end speculation regarding Donnarumma’s intent, suggesting there was no malice and dismissing blame.

Bayern’s defeat to PSG, compounded by Musiala’s absence, has created significant problems for club management. According to FCBInside, sporting director Max Eberl must reassess summer transfer plans. The squad’s creative core will miss its focal point in the No. 10 role, and the late injury has altered key recruitment priorities. Prior to the setback, Bayern’s strategy included signing Nick Woltemade from VfB Stuttgart and loaning him back for a year, giving him time to develop and providing a long-term succession plan for Harry Kane. However, Musiala’s injury forced the club to scrap this plan, and internal urgency for immediate attacking reinforcements has grown.

Woltemade himself was reportedly eager to join Bayern immediately, making a delayed transfer unfeasible. At the same time, other transfer targets—such as Luis Diaz—pose complications, with Liverpool reluctant to negotiate and alternatives like Nico Williams and Bradley Barcola no longer available on the market.

Meanwhile, the exit of Thomas Müller, who played his last match against PSG, was addressed by club president Herbert Hainer. Hainer made clear Müller will not stay for another season despite Musiala’s injury: “Thomas has said goodbye to the team. Life goes on—others must now take responsibility.” Hainer highlighted players like Joshua Kimmich and recent signing Jonathan Tah as leaders for the transitional period.

Bayern face a transfer window filled with uncertainty. Far from reactive spending, Eberl insists, “We don’t want to react to every injury.” Yet there is recognition in club circles that new solutions are required, both for the creative midfield vacancy and other unaddressed squad needs.

As the Club World Cup concludes without Bayern among the finalists, the focus shifts to how one of Europe’s most ambitious clubs will handle the squad challenges ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, particularly in the aftermath of a damaging week both on and off the pitch.

(Sources: Bavarian Football Works, FCBInside)

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