Bayern Munich’s Contingency Plans for Harry Kane’s Potential Departure Could Disrupt Arsenal and Manchester United’s Transfer Ambitions
Bayern Munich is already preparing for the possibility of life without Harry Kane, despite the England captain only joining the Bundesliga giants in the summer of 2023. If the prolific striker decides to move on within the next year or so, Bayern has reportedly identified potential replacements—targets that could create transfer headaches for both Arsenal and Manchester United.
Kane’s Impact at Bayern and the Terms of His Contract
Kane’s high-profile switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich saw the German club pay £100 million to secure his services. With just one year remaining on his contract at Spurs, the North London club opted to cash in rather than risk losing their all-time top scorer for free in 2024. During his time at Tottenham, Kane amassed an impressive 280 goals in 435 appearances, cementing his status as one of the greatest strikers in Premier League history.
Since arriving at Bayern, the England captain has continued his prolific form, netting 70 goals in 72 appearances across all competitions. His contract at the Allianz Arena runs until the summer of 2027, but recent revelations about a release clause have fueled speculation about his future.
Release Clause Details and Tottenham’s First-Option Agreement
According to reports from German outlet Bild, Kane had a release clause in his contract that was active during the recently closed January transfer window. Had a club met the reported £67 million fee, he could have left Bavaria last month. This clause is set to decrease further, dropping to approximately £54 million in the January 2026 window, at which point Kane will have just 18 months left on his contract.
Additionally, the Daily Telegraph has confirmed that Tottenham holds a first-option agreement should Bayern decide to part ways with Kane. This clause ensures that Spurs would have the opportunity to re-sign their former talisman if he chooses to return to the Premier League. However, despite these contractual intricacies, reports indicate that Kane is content with life in Munich and is not currently considering an exit.
Bayern’s Contingency Plans: Sesko and Gyokeres in the Frame
Although Kane remains committed to Bayern for now, the club is already exploring potential successors in case he decides to leave. Bild has reported that Bayern has held discussions regarding two of Europe’s most promising strikers—RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Both forwards have been linked with Premier League clubs, making Bayern’s interest a potential obstacle for English sides looking to bolster their attacking options. Arsenal has been strongly linked with Sesko as they seek to add firepower to their frontline, while Manchester United is reportedly eyeing Gyokeres as a possible long-term solution for their striking department. United manager Ruben Amorim, who recently took over at Old Trafford, previously worked with Gyokeres at Sporting, fueling speculation that the Swedish striker could reunite with his former boss.
How Bayern’s Moves Could Complicate Arsenal and United’s Plans
Should Bayern move aggressively to secure Sesko or Gyokeres as a contingency for Kane’s potential departure, it could have significant repercussions for Arsenal and Manchester United. The Premier League duo would lose key transfer targets, forcing them to explore alternative options or engage in a bidding war against the Bundesliga giants.
For Arsenal, missing out on Sesko could mean looking elsewhere for a striker capable of complementing Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup. Meanwhile, for United, failing to land Gyokeres could delay their attacking rebuild, especially as the club looks to strengthen under Amorim’s leadership.
Ultimately, while Kane remains a Bayern player for now, the German club’s proactive approach in identifying replacements signals that they are prepared for any eventuality. If Kane does decide to leave, his departure could trigger a domino effect in the transfer market, disrupting the plans of top European clubs in the process.
Bayern Munich have already decided Harry Kane’s successor amid his release clause claims
