Bayern have extended the contract of their striker. What does this mean for English football?

The speculations of the last few days have been confirmed as Bayern Munich and top striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting have extended their partnership. The 33-year-old Bavarian mainstay has shown good form since the departure of Robert Lewandowski and his 15 goals in 24 games this season have earned him an improved contract. This news is also welcomed in London, why?

Daniel Levy slept better that day

Bayern Munich have been linked with several top-class strikers since Lewandowski’s departure. For the most part, the speculation faded as quickly as it appeared. The name that refused to leave the headlines, however, was: Harry Kane. Bayern’s interest in Tottenham’s English goalscorer was an open secret. But it was always accompanied by the realisation that negotiations would not be easy.

With the extension of Choupo-Moting’s contract, it is safe to assume that Bayern’s interest in Kane will not result in a transfer and the England international captain will remain domestically.

Daniel Levy will thus have a more restful sleep tonight, with one big bidder out of the picture. However, with one year left on his contract, the risk of Spurs losing their all-time top scorer to another Premier League team also increases.

Choupo in the starting line-up for next season?

The 33-year-old striker’s contract extension at Bayern Munich is speculated to be accompanied by a noticeable pay rise. There has been talk of a double-digit million euro fee. The higher remuneration can be seen as another indication of the Cameroonian international’s role in Munich next season.

Already during the winter preparation there were indications that Julian Nagelsmann was planning to play the spring with a two striker system. The course of the second part of the season so far has proved them right.

The system allows to find a place for Thomas Müller, whose traditional position of ‘ten’ was taken away by Jamal Musiala, but also to give space to a young hope for the future – Mathys Tel. Bayern Munich paid €20 million for the currently 17-year-old striker in the summer and his 4 goals in 273 minutes so far suggest that Tel could be a future number one at the tip of the attack.

Also, Sadio Mané is playing more centrally at Bayern and Serge Gnabry also wants to move closer to goal. So Nagelsmann has more than enough options for the attacking pair.

Still, Choupo-Moting remains the only ‘traditional striker’, although he is not shy to run deep into the box or on the wing. With 9 league goals in 965 minutes, or a Bundesliga goal every 108 minutes, the Hamburger native is giving nothing away to his competition in the team and is repaying the trust of the management.

A one-year contract and a stylish announcement

Ultimately, the contract extension reflects Bayern’s cautious approach to player contracts after the age of 30. Instead of the speculated two years, the 33-year-old striker extends for just one year. The length of the contract was one of the reasons why the extension was announced in advance as complicated. However, the two sides have apparently reached an agreement and are now full of words of mutual respect::

“We are very pleased that Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will stay with us next year. Choupo is a performer on the ball and has been giving excellent performances in recent years. He helped us plug the hole at the top of the attack in the first half of the season. He has done very well and has built on his performances in games this year,” Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said in the official announcement of the contract extension.

“I am thrilled to be staying here and will continue to enjoy playing for this club. I feel at home here. My family feels the same way in Munich. This is a very important thing for me. Of course, I’m happy that I can help the team so much.

I get on great with my teammates and we work hard towards our common goals. The competition is huge, but if you want to be among the best, that’s part of it. That’s the only way you’re going to win titles. And we have big plans. It all fell into place in Munich. I have no reason to change anything,” Choupo-Moting added for himself.

The announcement itself then reflects Salihamidzic’s words about Choupo as an artist::

Sources: Bayern Munich, FC Bayern München – Twitter, Transfermarkt