Bayern Munich fear another highly-rated youngster will bail on Vincent Kompany & Co as clubs line up for teenage playmaker

Bayern are facing the risk of losing another highly-rated talent, with 18-year-old playmaker Licina attracting strong interest from clubs across Europe. According to Sky Sport, multiple sides have already made approaches for the Germany U19 international, whose contract with Bayern runs until June 2026.

Bayern fear he will leave on a free transfer next summer and are keen to extend his stay, but Licina is yet to be convinced by the club’s project and pathway to the first team under coach Vincent Kompany.

Licina, regarded as one of the most gifted products of the Bayern Campus, impressed in preseason last year and even featured in a friendly against Tottenham in South Korea. 

Bayern and Kompany have been under fire for their handling of young players in recent months. The Bavarian side saw Paul Wanner leave for PSV in the summer despite hoping he would stay, with the midfielder convinced he would not get enough playing time in Munich this season, while Lennart Karl was said to be visibly upset after being left on the bench.

For Kompany, securing Licina’s future is also quite symbolic, as the Belgian coach has spoken about trusting young players, but convincing the teenager to stay will require a clear plan of progression into Bundesliga minutes rather than just starring in the reserves. 

Licina is primarily seen as a playmaker, but he has taken major strides regarding his physicality recently, now standing 1.85m tall and weighing 74kg, with a recorded top speed of 34.6 km/h. Those improvements have made him a more complete and robust attacking midfielder, better suited for senior football.

After making his debut for Bayern's U17s at just 15, he quickly established himself as a consistent scorer and creator, particularly in the U19 Bundesliga, where he recorded nine goals and three assists in 32 games during his first full season. He also gained exposure in the UEFA Youth League, where Bayern have often tested their top talents against elite European academies.

The key question is whether Bayern can convince Licina to commit his long-term future. That will depend on whether Kompany offers him a realistic pathway to first-team minutes, something Bayern have struggled to guarantee in the past.

Losing Licina for free in 2026 would be a major blow for Bayern, both symbolically and financially. For the player himself, the coming season will be crucial with strong performances at reserve and youth international level will only strengthen his bargaining position.