Josko Gvardiol, who made a significant move from RB Leipzig to Manchester City in 2023 for an estimated 90 million euros, might be poised for an unexpected return to the Bundesliga. Speculation is rife regarding the Croatian defender’s potential future with FC Bayern Munich. This report covers the latest developments and rumors surrounding the Bavarian giants.

• FC Bayern Munich: Lothar Matthäus discusses a former Bundesliga star’s potential return

  Legendary German international Lothar Matthäus recently weighed in on the possibility of Manchester City’s central defender, Josko Gvardiol, joining FC Bayern Munich. Matthäus hinted that FCB has already initiated concrete steps towards securing the player.

  “I have a player in mind, and I’ve heard they (Bayern) have already made their initial inquiries. A former Leipzig player, currently at Manchester City, a left-back/central defender,” Matthäus revealed on Sky during Bayern’s match against 1. FC Cologne. He then confirmed that he was indeed referring to Gvardiol.

  Bayern currently boasts a strong and established central defensive pairing in Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano. However, a slot could open up this summer if Min-jae Kim, often considered the third choice and frequently linked with a departure, were to leave the German champions. The key question remains whether Gvardiol would accept a rotational role behind Tah and Upamecano.

  The 24-year-old defender has openly expressed his ambition for a starting position. His contract with Manchester City extends until 2028, which would undoubtedly drive up his transfer fee. Manchester City paid 90 million euros to acquire him from RB Leipzig in 2023.

  Gvardiol rose to international prominence at Leipzig, a direct Bundesliga rival, where he played 87 matches between 2021 and 2023. At City, he typically features in the starting lineup, although he was sidelined from early January to early May due to a tibia fracture. He only made his return this week in a 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace.

  Another significant advantage for Bayern is Gvardiol’s left-footed preference and his versatility, capable of playing both as a central defender and a left-back, unlike Tah and Upamecano.

• FC Bayern Munich: Christoph Freund confirms Alexander Nübel is not in the club’s future plans

  Christoph Freund, Bayern Munich’s sporting director, has unequivocally stated that Alexander Nübel, currently on loan at VfB Stuttgart until the end of June, does not feature in the Bavarian club’s long-term plans.

  “We’ve had discussions with his representatives, and Alex is fully aware of our intentions,” Freund remarked after Bayern’s dominant 5-1 win over 1. FC Cologne on the final Bundesliga matchday. With Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich both extending their contracts for another year, and Jonas Urbig identified as Neuer’s medium-term successor, there is simply no room for Nübel. Freund confirmed, “Our plan is to commence next season with this established trio of goalkeepers.”

  Despite being under contract with Bayern until 2030, the 29-year-old goalkeeper is not expected to return to Säbener Straße. VfB Stuttgart has expressed interest in a permanent transfer, but they reportedly lack the necessary financial resources. Consequently, the future of the three-time German international remains uncertain.

  Signed from FC Schalke 04 in 2020, Nübel has only made four official appearances for FCB. He spent from 2021 to 2023 on loan at AS Monaco, followed by his current stint at Stuttgart since 2023.

• FC Bayern Munich – News: A historic first for Harry Kane

  Harry Kane has once again etched his name into the Bundesliga history books.

  With an impressive 36 goals during the 2025-2026 campaign, the English international has claimed the top scorer title for the third consecutive season. Having joined FC Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023, Kane has become the first player in history to finish as the league’s leading scorer in each of his first three Bundesliga seasons. He also stands alone as the only player to surpass 25 goals in each of his initial three seasons in the German top flight.

  In the 2023/24 season, he netted 36 goals, and in the season prior, he scored 26. His status as the golden boot winner for this season was long confirmed; on Saturday, he boosted his tally to 36 with a hat-trick in the 5-1 victory against Cologne.

• FC Bayern Munich: the upcoming match schedule for FCB

  Date	Match	Competition
  May 23	FC Bayern – VfB Stuttgart	German Cup
  July 25	SV Wehen Wiesbaden – FC Bayern (friendly)	Friendly Match
  August 4	Jeju SK FC – FC Bayern	Friendly Match
  August 7	FC Bayern – Aston Villa	Friendly Match