Transfer Centre

Manchester United-linked Thomas Muller 'likely to extend Bayern Munich contract'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 04 December 2023

Man United-linked Muller 'likely to extend Bayern contract'

Club legend Thomas Muller is reportedly likely to extend his contract at Bayern Munich, despite his reduced game time under Thomas Tuchel.

Bayern Munich are reportedly optimistic that Thomas Muller will choose to extend his contract past the end of the season.

Having spent almost 15 years in the senior ranks at the Allianz Arena, Muller has already established himself as one of the club's best-ever players.

A total of 237 goals and 261 assists have been contributed from 681 appearances in all competitions, as well as lifting the level of silverware that goes in keeping with representing Bayern for that amount of time.

However, Muller has not been used so regularly under Thomas Tuchel, as he has been restricted to just 485 minutes of action in the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Nine of his 14 outings have come from the substitutes' bench, leading to speculation that he will opt against penning fresh terms in due course.

Thomas Muller in action for Bayern Munich on September 10, 2022 © Reuters

As a result, the likes of Manchester United have been credited with an interest in his signature ahead of the January window with head coach Erik ten Hag seemingly keen to make changes in the final third.

Nevertheless, according to Sky Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern are ready to push for a renewal as soon as possible.

Plettenberg suggests that Bayern respect Muller's status at the club and sporting director Christoph Freund is keen to hold discussions with the 34-year-old.

While it is hinted that a new contract being signed is far from a foregone conclusion, there is said to be optimism within the Bayern ranks that a deal will eventually be agreed.

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel before the match on November 24, 2023 © Reuters

Tuchel has recently acknowledged that he appreciates the frustration of Muller but is keen to see Muller remain at Bayern in the long term.

Muller played the 90 minutes as Bayern squared off against Copenhagen in the Champions League in their last fixture, only for it to end goalless.

Aside from that game, the only other time that Muller has completed a match in its entirety is the shock 2-1 defeat to Saarbruecken in the DFB-Pokal.

Bayern were not in action at the weekend after their scheduled Bundesliga fixture with Union Berlin was postponed due to snow, with their next encounter due to be a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9.