The legendary Bayern Munich icon Lothar Matthäus has reignited speculation about a potential return of Josko Gvardiol to the Allianz Arena. The Croatian defender, currently plying his trade at Manchester City, could soon find himself back in the Bundesliga.

« I’ve been keeping an eye on a player, and I’ve heard the club has already taken initial steps, » Matthäus revealed in a recent interview. « It’s an ex-Leipzig player who now plays for Manchester City—a left-back or center-back. » His remarks strongly suggest Bayern’s interest in Gvardiol, a player he explicitly named.

Bayern already boasts a strong defensive duo with Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano, but a potential departure could open a spot. Min-jae Kim, currently the third-choice center-back and rumored to be leaving, may make way for Gvardiol. However, the Croatian’s willingness to accept a backup role behind Tah and Upamecano remains uncertain.

At 24, Gvardiol is determined to secure a starting position, and his contract with Manchester City runs until 2028, which could drive up the transfer fee. City paid €90 million for him in 2023, and his Bundesliga experience with RB Leipzig—where he made 87 appearances between 2021 and 2023—makes him a prime target. Though he has been a regular starter at City, a tibia fracture sidelined him from January to May, though he recently returned in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Another advantage for Bayern: unlike Tah and Upamecano, Gvardiol is left-footed, offering tactical flexibility as a left-back or center-back.

Christoph Freund, Bayern’s sporting director, has made it clear: Alexander Nübel will not feature in the club’s plans moving forward. The 29-year-old goalkeeper, currently on loan at VfB Stuttgart until June, will not return to Munich.

« We’ve discussed the situation with his representatives, and Alex is aware of our plans, » Freund stated after Bayern’s 5-1 Bundesliga finale victory over 1. FC Cologne. « We’ll begin next season with Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, and Jonas Urbig—this is our goalkeeper trio. »

Nübel, under contract with Bayern until 2030, has struggled to secure playing time, making just four appearances since his 2020 arrival. He was loaned to AS Monaco from 2021 to 2023 and to Stuttgart since 2023. Stuttgart would love to sign him permanently but lacks the financial means, leaving the German international’s future uncertain.

Harry Kane has once again etched his name into Bundesliga history. With 36 goals in the 2025-26 season, the England captain secured his third consecutive top-scorer title—matching his performances from the previous two campaigns.

Since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Kane has become the first player to finish as the league’s top scorer in each of his first three seasons. He’s also the only player to surpass 25 goals in all three of his debut Bundesliga seasons.

In 2023/24, he netted 36 times, followed by 26 in the preceding season. His 36-goal haul this term included a hat-trick in Bayern’s 5-1 demolition of Cologne on the final matchday.