Harry Kane said Bayern Munich are “extremely close” to agreeing a contract extension, adding that an announcement could come “hopefully in the next few days.” He was speaking at a press conference in Madrid on the eve of Bayern’s Champions League match against Atlético Madrid, after what he described as another positive conversation with the club.
The contract talks were one of several topics at the briefing, but Bayern’s injury problems also loom over the match. Max Eberl said Ismael Saibari is expected to be out for three to four months with an ankle syndesmosis tear, while Serge Gnabry will miss games until Christmas because of a muscle injury. Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz remain unavailable.
Bayern assistant coach Aaron Danks, standing in for Vincent Kompany, did not reveal his starting lineup. Nathaniel Brown and Lennart Karl are among the options for the number 10 role, though Danks said there were other candidates as well. Manuel Neuer and Michael Olise took part in the final training session, but he did not say whether either would start. Kane also said he did not know who would play in attack.
Kane described Atlético as a team that has developed beyond its reputation for physicality, passion and defensive strength, saying it is now also good in possession and dangerous in attack.
Bayern have drawn their last two matches in the Champions League league phase. A win against Atlético would improve their chances of finishing in the top eight and avoiding the playoffs. Danks said he did not see that goal as a source of major pressure, noting that Paris Saint-Germain had won the Champions League without finishing in the top eight.
Sources: Süddeutsche Zeitung.