Arsenal have received a significant update regarding Jamal Musiala’s future at Bayern Munich, as the club continues to monitor the highly-rated midfielder with an eye toward a potential summer transfer. The Gunners have identified Musiala as a top target for future windows, despite facing profit and sustainability concerns that forced them to approach the most recent transfer window with caution. However, this did not prevent them from engaging in discussions about making marquee signings that could strengthen their squad.
In the most recent transfer window, Arsenal secured the permanent signings of Riccardo Calafiori, David Raya, Mikel Merino, and Tommy Setford. These acquisitions addressed key areas of the team, but internally, there was a desire for a more unique attacking option. Edu and Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s technical director and head coach respectively, reportedly had their eyes on adding a dynamic attacking player to the squad. This ambition led to discussions about possible moves for Nico Williams and Jamal Musiala, according to *The Times*.
Nico Williams, the Athletic Bilbao winger, was on the radar of several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal. His impressive performances for Spain, particularly during their Euro 2024 triumph, made him a hot prospect. Although he seemed destined to join Barcelona, Williams ultimately chose to remain in the Basque country, reaffirming his commitment to Athletic Bilbao. Musiala, on the other hand, briefly attracted interest from Liverpool, but Bayern Munich’s hefty asking price of around £100 million reportedly deterred any serious bids from potential suitors, including Arsenal.
One of the primary reasons Arsenal remains interested in Musiala is the potential for a change in Bayern’s stance on his availability in the near future. Currently, the German international’s contract at Bayern Munich is set to expire at the end of the 2025/2026 season. As a result, if Musiala does not agree to a contract extension, next summer could present Bayern with their final opportunity to cash in on the talented midfielder before he enters the final year of his deal and becomes a free agent the following season.
Despite this looming deadline, Musiala appears content with life in Munich. The latest update from Bayern’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, indicates that the club is keen to secure Musiala’s long-term future. Freund expressed his optimism about extending the player’s contract, telling Fabrizio Romano, “There are always talks. We want to extend the contract. We want Jamal to stay with us long-term and help shape an era. Hopefully, the talks will have a positive end, but there’s no time pressure.”
However, Freund’s assertion that there is no time pressure may be overly optimistic. In football, contracts can quickly become a pressing issue, especially when a player of Musiala’s caliber is involved. With just over 18 months remaining on his current deal, Bayern must act swiftly to avoid the risk of losing one of their most promising talents. Although there is time on the surface, the football world moves fast, and top clubs like Arsenal will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on how the situation develops.
Musiala’s future could also be influenced by Bayern’s performance this season. After a disappointing campaign last year, which saw Bayern Munich finish trophyless, Musiala may reconsider his long-term plans if the club fails to meet his ambitions for success. Despite Bayern knocking Arsenal out of the Champions League in the most recent season, there is growing belief that the Emirates Stadium could be an appealing destination for Musiala if he seeks a fresh challenge. Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, have shown remarkable progress, and the club’s long-term vision could align with Musiala’s own aspirations.
In summary, while Musiala seems happy at Bayern Munich for the time being, Arsenal remains hopeful that circumstances could shift in their favor by next summer. The Gunners are well aware that Bayern will need to secure his future sooner rather than later, or face the possibility of losing one of Europe’s brightest young talents. With the player’s contract situation still unresolved and Bayern’s need to bounce back from a trophyless season, the next few months will be crucial in determining where Musiala’s future lies. Arsenal will undoubtedly be ready to make their move should the opportunity arise.