Oliver Kahn, chairman of the Bayern Board of Directors, made his first appearance since taking up this position on Monday and was “optimistic” that Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman renew their contracts with the club, which expire in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Kahn said that “with Alaba we were not willing to compromise anymore.”
“We are in very positive conversations with the two players and I am very, very optimistic,” Kahn said. “We have a wonderful package to offer the players. With us they always have the possibility of winning titles and marking an era. That is important,” he added.
Kahn, however, did not rule out the possibility that the negotiations could be closed without an agreement and recalled the case of David Alaba, who went free to Real Madrid after talks about his renewal failed.
“Elite players want adequate remuneration. We are not naive. But in the case of Alaba, it reached a point where we were not willing to give in any more. It cannot be said that sporting success is sought based on financial soundness. and at the same time entering a salary level that is not suitable for FC Bayern, “he explained.
After the signings of Dayoy Upamecano, from Leipzig, Omar Richards, who comes from Reading, and the return of Sven Ullreich from Hamburg, Kahn does not expect big additions for next season.
Kahn considers the squad to be good and also mentioned the return of loaners Chris Richards from Hoffenheim and Joshua Zirkzee from Parma.
“I have already seen how certain players have a development that few expect. We expect Julian Nagelsmann to make these players evolve and take them to a higher level,” he said. Nagelsmann will have his first season at the helm of Bayern as a successor to Hansi Flick, who will become German coach.