FEATURE | 5 Bundesliga players with expiring contracts | OneFootball

In the past we’ve seen German clubs make use of expiring contracts from Robert Lewandowski swapping Borussia Dortmund for Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich, while Schalke 04 have both benefitted and lost out on the market, signing Raul from Real Madrid in 2010 to losing both Joël Matip and Leon Goretzka to Liverpool and Bayern, who themselves lost three-time German Footballer of the Year Michael Ballack to Chelsea in 2006.

And now as we enter 2025, there’s still some big names that are yet to sign a new contract at their relevant clubs from Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané to Ridle Baku (Wolfsburg) and Jacob Bruun Larsen (Hoffenheim). Here are five players with their futures still undecided.

Alphonso Davies (24, Bayern Munich – Market Value: €50m)

Discussions between Bayern Munich and Alphonso Davies’ entourage regarding an extension beyond 2025 are well documented, but the Canadian is yet to make a final decision on his future with Real Madrid showing an interest. The 24-year-old scored the Rekordmeister’s fifth and final goal in their thrashing of RB Leipzig in the final game before the winter break, and it will only provide Davies and his representatives more sway when it comes to securing a new deal.

In fact, in what’s been a strange season for Bayern Munich – who top the Bundesliga, four points ahead of reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen – Davies has arguably been the club’s best performer this season. Starting 12 of his 13 Bundesliga matches, the left-back has one goal and two assists this season and has a FotMob rating of 7.72. Per FBRef, only four players have more progressive carries (53) than Davies this season, who also ranks 10th in the Bundesliga for successful take-ons. It’s imperative that Bayern Munich tie Davies down to a new contract but with Real lurking, persuasion from the Bayern camp may not be enough.

Joshua Kimmich (29, Bayern Munich – MV: €50m)

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl believes that Joshua Kimmich can become the new face of the club. The 29-year-old has been at the club for over a decade now, amassing 414 appearances across all competitions. And after a difficult end to the 2023/24 season under Thomas Tuchel, Kimmich is at the top of his game once again, now under Vincent Kompany.

Kimmich is currently representing himself in contract negotiations with Bayern but whether an agreement between player and club can be found remains to be seen. Losing the 29-year-old, who has interest from Paris Saint-Germain, on a free transfer in the summer would be a huge blow to the Rekordmeister.

Jonathan Tah (28, Bayer Leverkusen – MV: €30m)

Barcelona are leading the race to sign Jonathan Tah ahead of La Liga rivals Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. The central-defender played a key role in Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten domestic campaign which resulted in their maiden Bundesliga title and a DFB Pokal – not to mention going unbeaten on their 2024 Europa League run before losing to Atalanta in the final. But after joining Die Werkself for just shy of €10m in 2015, Tah’s time at the club is coming to an end.

Barcelona have already made an initial proposal to Tah’s entourage with talks advancing, although a final agreement is yet to be reached. What’s clear is that Tah’s time at Bayer Leverkusen will come to an end in the summer.

Tom Bischof (19, Hoffenheim – MV: €12m)

Tom Bischof has played in all but two Bundesliga games for Hoffenheim this season and has established himself as one of the hottest prospects in German football. The 19-year-old has attracted attention from Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig, but it’s Bayern Munich that are leading the race to sign the midfielder. Talks between the Rekordmeister and Bischof’s management are already underway, but Eintracht remain hopeful of signing the youngster.

The Hessen club see Bischof as a successor to Mario Götze and are ready to offer the player a five-year contract, and a clear pathway to first team football, something that may not be immediately possible at Bayern Munich.

Rubén Vargas (26, Augsburg – MV: €7m)

Rubén Vargas is in his sixth season at Augsburg, but it will likely be his last. The now 26-year-old is somewhat of an under-appreciated player in Germany and has established himself in a mid-table Augsburg side, but if the Swiss attacker wants to progress in his career, the time is now. With six months remaining on his current deal, Vargas is now free to speak to other clubs while both Borussia Mönchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt, alongside Serie A side Fiorentina, are showing an interest.

Unwilling to lose Vargas on a free transfer, Augsburg may be willing to sell the attacking-midfielder in January for around €2m, with both Sevilla and Villarreal also showing an interest.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder