According to a report from Sport Bild journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), the rumors are true — Bayern Munich and Jamal Musiala have not agreed on a new deal due to the player’s requirement for a release clause in his new contract:
After Max Eberl had discussed the general conditions with Jamal Musiala’s representatives, the player’s agents have now made their first concrete proposal. The first draft of the contract from Musiala’s camp, which is now to serve as the basis for negotiations, contains a release clause worth around €175m. Musiala’s camp’s argument is that the longer the new contract runs (expected to be until June 30, 2030), the more a release clause makes sense. For them, the clause is not an eliminating criterion for an extension. But: If Musiala signs for five years, the release clause would be more important to him than with a four-year contract.
According to tomorrow’s @SPORTBILD cover, Jamal Musiala is holding out for a release clause in his new Bayern contract, which has created a ‘new problem’ in the negotiations. More details soon pic.twitter.com/Hxtdti7dLU
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 7, 2025
Obviously, Bayern Munich typically views a release clause as a deterrent to getting any deal done because the club thinks it strips some of the leverage they might eventually want in a potential player sale:
From Bayern’s perspective, The term “release clause” has always been a red flag for the club’s bosses, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, in particular, is an opponent to that. When it comes to selling a player, the club should have sole control, which would no longer be the case with a release clause. Therefore, no player in the current squad has been granted this clause in their contract. Bayern want to avoid a release clause.
As for the wages, it seems like both parties are comfortable with that part of the agreement:
Regarding the wages, it’s not a condition that Musiala has to become the top earner ahead of Harry Kane to extend his contract. The player’s camp and the club are coming closer together regarding that point. At the end of the first half of the season, Bayern were hoping for a quick agreement. But now both sides are bracing themselves for longer negotiations than previously expected.
This report backed a previous report from Sky Sport journalists Florian Plettenberg and Kerry Hau. Plettenberg posted this on X:
⚠️ As exclusively revealed in our Transfer Update show in December, the question of whether there will be a release clause in the new contract remains one of the key points of the negotiations.
Jamal #Musiala and his management want to have a release clause, but Bayern currently does not want to include it. According to Sportbild, the demanded clause is expected to be set at €175 million.
An agreement between Bayern and Musiala is still not in sight. Negotiations ongoing. Musiala wants to extend.
Hau added the following:
Yes, the issue of the exit clause is part of the contract negotiations between Jamal Musiala’s management and FC Bayern. What we first reported in the TU in December has now been confirmed by @SPORTBILD – and has given a specific sum of 175 million euros. FCB does not currently want to comply with this request. Musiala’s position remains unchanged: he wants to extend his contract.
At various points, Musiala has been — at least — loosely linked to FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool FC, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC, and Manchester City.
Buckle up, Bayern Munich fans…this could take a while.
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