BREAKING NEWS: Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala explains why he has chosen Arsenal over Chelsea for his next destination
Arsenal have received a fresh update regarding Jamal Musiala’s future at Bayern Munich, as they continue to monitor him as a potential target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Gunners had to be cautious with their spending in the most recent transfer period due to financial fair play and profit sustainability regulations.
However, despite those constraints, the club still explored the possibility of making high-profile signings.
During the window, Arsenal made a few permanent additions, bringing in Riccardo Calafiori, David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Tommy Setford.
However, sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta were also keen on adding a unique attacking talent to strengthen the squad further.
As a result, Nico Williams and Jamal Musiala emerged as two of the most intriguing options, according to The Times.
Nico Williams, who had been on the radar of multiple Premier League clubs, was widely expected to move to Barcelona following his impressive performances for Spain at Euro 2024.
However, he ultimately decided to remain with Athletic Bilbao, choosing to continue his development in La Liga rather than making a move to England or elsewhere.
On the other hand, Musiala had also attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Liverpool.
However, Bayern Munich set a high asking price for the young attacking midfielder, reportedly in the region of £100 million.
This valuation appeared to deter potential suitors, including Arsenal, from making a formal approach for his signature.
One of the reasons Arsenal were keen on Musiala was the potential for a significant shift in Bayern’s stance over the next year.
The German international’s current contract at the Allianz Arena is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
If an agreement over a contract extension is not reached soon, Bayern may find themselves in a situation where they have to consider selling him in the 2025 summer transfer window.
That period could present their last realistic opportunity to secure a sizable transfer fee for Musiala before he enters the final year of his deal.
At present, the likelihood of Musiala leaving Bayern appears low, as he seems content with life in Munich.
However, recent comments from Bayern Munich’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, suggest that a departure should not be ruled out entirely.
Freund’s remarks hint at the possibility that the young playmaker could eventually leave Bavaria, potentially paving the way for a return to England.
With Arsenal closely monitoring the situation, the club remains hopeful that circumstances could change in the next 12 months, allowing them to make a serious move for Musiala.
Should he become available, the Gunners could find themselves in a strong position to secure his services and significantly bolster their attacking options.
Arsenal’s interest in Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala has been a topic of discussion, especially considering the club’s recent financial constraints and desire to bolster their attacking options. However, recent developments have significantly impacted the feasibility of such a transfer.
Musiala’s Contract Extension
As of February 2025, Jamal Musiala has committed his future to Bayern Munich by signing a contract extension that keeps him at the club until 2030. This new agreement includes a release clause, but contrary to earlier reports suggesting it would be active in 2025, the clause will only be triggered starting in 2028. The release clause is set at €175 million in 2028 and decreases to €100 million in 2029. This structure provides Bayern with a three-year window to solidify their project and convince Musiala of their long-term vision.
Bayern Munich’s Stance
Bayern’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, has been vocal about the club’s commitment to retaining Musiala. He emphasized that the young midfielder is central to Bayern’s plans and that there is no intention to sell him. Freund stated, “It’s not our goal to sell him,” highlighting the club’s determination to keep Musiala as a cornerstone of their future endeavors.
Implications for Arsenal
Given Musiala’s extended commitment to Bayern and the substantial release clause that won’t be active until 2028, Arsenal’s prospects of acquiring the German international in the upcoming summer transfer window appear highly unlikely. The financial implications, combined with Bayern’s clear intent to retain Musiala, suggest that Arsenal may need to explore alternative targets to strengthen their squad.
Upcoming Arsenal Fixtures
As of February 21, 2025, Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures are as follows:
# EPL Schedule
– West Ham United @ Arsenal FC on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025 at 07:00 AM PST
– Arsenal FC @ Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, Feb 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM PST
– Arsenal FC @ Manchester United on Sunday, Mar 09, 2025 at 09:30 AM PDT
– Chelsea FC @ Arsenal FC on Sunday, Mar 16, 2025 at 06:30 AM PDT
– Fulham FC @ Arsenal FC on Tuesday, Apr 01, 2025 at 11:45 AM PDT
These matches will be crucial for Arsenal as they aim to achieve their objectives for the season.
In summary, while Arsenal’s interest in Jamal Musiala underscores their ambition to enhance their attacking lineup, the recent developments surrounding his contract extension at Bayern Munich make a transfer in the near future improbable. The Gunners will likely need to redirect their focus toward other potential signings to meet their squad reinforcement goals.
