Bayern Munich set to break strict contract rule after Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win
Bayern Munich are poised to break their strict contract policy for Harry Kane after he won the Ballon d'Or on Monday night.
Kane became the sixth English player to claim the coveted award after scoring a staggering 73 goals for club and country, pipping both Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the prize.
Kane ended Bayern Munich's 45-year wait for a Ballon d'Or winner, following in the footsteps of Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
The England captain and record goalscorer is out of contract in the summer of 2027, but it has been widely reported that he is closing in on an extension at the Allianz Arena.
Harry Kane forces Bayern Munich to break their contract policy
According to German journalist Rapha Honigstein, Kane is poised to sign a new lucrative two-year contract despite it being his preference to pen a three-year deal that would take him to just short of his 36th birthday.
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Either way, the arrangement will still buck the trend as Bayern typically only offer one-year contracts for players over 30.
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40-year-old Manuel Neuer, Bayern's captain and veteran goalkeeper, was recently handed a one-year deal - while fellow legend Thomas Muller did not receive a renewal in 2025 and so moved to the MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps.
However, Joshua Kimmich did get a longer deal when he signed his latest extension after turning 30.
Kane is in the form of his life at 33 and after winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles while scoring 146 goals in his first three seasons, he has scored 10 times in 12 games this term.
Speaking on talkSPORT's breakfast show, Honigstein said: “He hasn't signed it yet. I think there's an extra few thousand euros or a million euros due now - could be.
“I'm slightly joking, but it's all but done. It's just a question of dotting the I's and crossing the T's.
“There's long been a recognition from both parties that this is a setup that they want to continue."
The big talking point was, is it three years or is it two years? Because Bayern as a club, as much as they love him they think, '[He's] 33, we don't want to commit ourselves too long'.
“He wants three years. It's going to be two, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's some kind of option in there that gives flexibility to both parties.
“If he carries himself the way he has, keeps improving - he still looks incredibly fit - who knows? Maybe in three years, he's still a handful of a player."
Bayern chief admits Kane will be an exception in contract policy
Rummenigge has been very clear that Kane is considered an "exception" as he spoke openly about the contract policy in place.
Speaking to Abendzeitung last month, the Bayern supervisory board member said: "In the past, I would have said: for players over 30, you should generally only hand out one-year contracts. But there are exceptions when you are convinced by a player. And we are with Harry.
"You must not forget: in three years, he was only injured once. I can remember it myself: when I had a three at the front of my age, I was already plagued by plenty of muscle problems."
After a classy speech where he thanked those who have helped him in his journey to the very top, Kane has promised to deliver gifts to both his Bayern and England teammates as a thank you following his Ballon d'Or win.
Topics: Bayern Munich, Harry Kane
Josh Lawless