Bayern Munich Renew Kingsley Coman Contract: A Sensible $100m Deal

Bayern Munich has signed Kingsley Coman to a new long-term contract. The French winger, who scored the game-winning goal in the 2020 Champions League final, has renewed his contract expiring in 2023 until 2027. 

“King, with his quality as a provider and his goalscoring threat, is of utmost importance for the future of our team,” Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said in a club statement. “Our aim is for FC Bayern to continue to compete at the top of Europe in the coming years. With the contract extensions of Kingsley, Joshua Kimmich, and Leon Goretzka, we have laid a strong foundation for this.”

It is a significant deal. Coman is expected to earn $19 million before tax, plus bonus payments. It is a substantial financial package. In its entirety over the full term, including bonuses, the contract is worth more than $100 million. Critiques will argue that it is too much money for a winger who has struggled with injuries at the time. But from a market perspective, the renewal makes sense for Bayern.

One just has to look at the costs of a potential replacement. Coman’s contract renewal is still cheaper than signing a new player. Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembélé, who has frequently been linked with the club, reportedly has asked for a deal worth $61 million, plus bonuses before taxes. 

Bayern was also frequently linked with Brazilian winger Raphinha. The Leeds United star would cost around $55 million, but that would not include his salary. Whether the Brazilian is still a topic for a potential transfer will also depend on whether the Rekordmeister can renew the deal with Serge Gnabry—discussions are ongoing. Still, no resolution has been found at this stage. 

Either way, Coman’s renewal is costly, but it is still cheaper than signing a replacement in a complicated COVID-19 transfer market. The Rekordmeister defines Coman as an internal transfer; committing a player with a significant market value ensures that the finances remain secure in difficult times. 

“Players with Kingsley Coman’s ability are wanted by clubs all around the world,” Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn said in a club statement. This contract extension is another example of how attractive our club is at the highest level internationally. Kingsley is fully committed to FC Bayern; he’s found his footballing home here. World-class players consider very carefully where they sign their contracts these days.”

Coman, in the meantime, now has the opportunity to become a club legend. The winger has played 217 games (48 goals and 52 assists) for Bayern since joining the club on loan from Juventus in 2015. Bayern paid around $30 million to first loan and then to buy the French national team player, who has since increased his market value to $60.5 million. 

“I’ve been at the club since 2015—it feels like a big family,” Coman said. “Everything is perfect here. My best years as a footballer are still ahead of me, and I’m glad I’ll be spending them at FC Bayern.” The winger has one big goal in his second term at Bayern. “My biggest goal is to win the Champions League again – and this time, please, together with our fans.”

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth