Bayern Munich told to consider Christopher Nkunku move or re-sign Thomas Muller instead of splashing €100m on Nick Woltemade after Jamal Musiala injury

Bayern have been in the market to strengthen in their attack following the loss of Leroy Sane, but with Musiala ruled out for several months with a brutal injury, the Bundesliga side are under even more pressure to find at least one new addition before the season kicks off.

Musiala fractured his fibula during a tussle with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Club World Cup quarter-final last weekend, which will keep the attacking midfielder out for around five months. Sane has already joined Turkish giants Galatasaray, while Kingsley Coman has been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena, too. Furthermore, Thomas Muller has already played his final game for Die Roten, with a move to Major League Soccer beckoning.

One name Bayern have been heavily linked with in recent weeks is Stuttgart superstar Nick Woltemade, with Bayern sporting director Max Eberl admitting that the club would like to sign the 23-year-old. However, his hefty price tag may put a spanner in the works. With the summer transfer window set to be a challenging one for the German champions, Matthaus had some suggestions for Bayern.

In a column for Sky Sport, Matthaus reflected on the impact of Musiala's injury and how it could alter Bayern's plans for the upcoming season.

"Musiala's injury has brought Nick Woltemade's name into play more than ever. Bayern Munich had already expressed interest in the Stuttgart player before Musiala's injury. This hasn't made the transfer any easier or cheaper, as someone is now truly needed in that position. The money is there for Woltemade. Whether he ultimately costs €60 million, €80 million, or €100 million is a matter between FC Bayern and VfB Stuttgart," Matthaus wrote.

"A player like Christopher Nkunku could also play on the wing and in the center. I don't know Bayern Munich's requirements, but I think it would be a very appealing solution to offer Thomas Muller a contract for the next few months. Similar to what I did before my move to New York."

According to reports from Germany, the deals for Luis Diaz and Woltemade have stalled following Musiala's injury. Bayern are keen on signing a left winger and have turned their attention towards the Liverpool wide man, after their advances for Nico Williams and Kaoru Mitoma were rejected. Rafael Leao was another name on the Bavarians' radar, but AC Milan will not be selling him this summer, with new manager Massimiliano Allegri set to count on the Portuguese international.

Speaking in an interview, Eberl spoke about the likelihood of signing a replacement for the injured Musiala, explaining: "We feel like we don't have to do that much when planning our squad – including for the 2025-26 season. We won't react to every injury and bring in players for that reason. The squad has to be right, and we know that the players will hopefully be back in October or November and then be ready for the end of the first half of the season and the second half."