The most pressing issue at Bayern Munich right now is not on the pitch but in the boardroom, where contract negotiations with Michael Olise are shaping up to be a defining test of the club's ambitions. The 24-year-old is in stunning form, scoring nine goals and providing five assists in nine appearances this season, yet his camp has shown no appetite to extend his current deal beyond 2029. Bayern are offering a contract until 2032 worth up to 25 million euros per year, but Olise is reportedly insisting on an exit clause, a demand that could complicate talks significantly. Real Madrid and Liverpool are watching closely.

The situation is made more complex by Olise's public persona. Bayern held talks with his advisor after concerns arose about his detached behaviour at club events and in media settings, though the club came away reassured that the issues stem from social anxiety rather than arrogance.

On the pitch, Bayern are in strong shape. A 7-0 demolition of Union Berlin before the international break underlined their attacking quality, and they sit second in the Bundesliga with 10 points from four games. The injury to Jamal Musiala, who suffered a muscle tear on Germany duty, adds a layer of concern, with Ismael Saibari the likeliest candidate to fill the void in the coming weeks. Harry Kane, meanwhile, is closing in on a contract extension, with a deal until at least 2029 expected soon. Bayern travel to Augsburg on 10 October.