Bayern Munich is ready to bend their strict contract rules after Harry Kane wins the Ballon d’Or.
Bayern Munich are ready to make an exception to their usual contract rules for Harry Kane after he won the Ballon d’Or on Monday night. Kane became only the sixth English player to win this famous award, scoring an amazing 73 goals for both club and country. He beat big names like Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the prize.
Kane also ended Bayern’s 45-year wait for a Ballon d’Or winner, joining legends like Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The England captain and top scorer still has a contract until summer 2027, but reports say he’s close to signing an extension at the Allianz Arena.
German journalist Rapha Honigstein shared that Kane is likely to agree to a new, well-paid two-year deal, even though Kane would prefer three years, which would take him close to his 36th birthday. Either way, this deal would be different from Bayern’s usual one-year contracts for players over 30.
For example, 40-year-old goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer recently got a one-year contract, while Thomas Muller didn’t renew in 2025 and moved to MLS. But Joshua Kimmich got a longer deal after turning 30.
At 33, Kane is playing the best football of his life. He helped Bayern win two Bundesliga titles in a row, scored 146 goals in his first three seasons, and already has 10 goals in 12 games this season.
On talkSPORT’s breakfast show, Honigstein said: “He hasn’t signed yet, but it’s almost done—just the final details to finish. Both Kane and Bayern want to keep working together. The main question is whether it will be two or three years. Bayern loves him but is cautious because he’s 33.”
Honigstein added, “He wants three years, but it looks like two with an option that could give both sides some flexibility. If Kane keeps performing as he has and stays fit, who knows? In three years, he might still be going strong.”
Bayern board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called Kane an “exception” to their usual policy. Speaking to Abendzeitung last month, he said: “Normally, we only offer one-year contracts to players over 30. But with Harry, it’s different. In three years, he was only injured once, which is amazing.”
After his classy Ballon d’Or speech thanking everyone who supported him, Kane promised to treat both his Bayern and England teammates with gifts to say thanks.