Bayern Munich News: Guerreiro Eyes Benfica Return, Rummenigge Slams Agent Fees, and Boardroom Decisions Loom

Munich—Bayern Munich’s summer clear-out has officially begun, with Portugal international Raphaël Guerreiro among the first high-profile names heading for the exit. The club confirmed on Monday that the 32-year-old will depart as a free agent when his contract expires, and Portuguese daily Record reports that Benfica have already opened talks to bring the versatile left-sider back to his homeland for the first time in his professional career.

Guerreiro, capped times for Portugal, has spent his entire club life abroad, carving out a reputation at Borussia Dortmund before moving to the Bavarians. While his pace has waned and full-back duties now stretch his physical limits, scouts believe he can still influence matches as a central midfielder. Benfica, now managed by José Mourinho, view the prospective free transfer as low-risk, high-upside business as they rebuild for a renewed assault on the Primeira Liga and European places.

Agent Fees in the Crosshairs

Away from the pitch, Bayern supervisory-board heavyweight Karl-Heinz Rummenigge used Guerreiro’s looming departure to amplify his criticism of modern football’s financial undercurrents. Citing figures from last summer’s window, Rummenigge revealed that agents pocketed €1.17 billion in fees across global deals—more than double the €500 million recorded five years earlier.

“We’re all in the same boat, so we should sit down together—agents, federations, leagues, and clubs,” Rummenigge argued. “What agents take does not stay in football, and it’s harming the sport.”

The Bayern legend stopped short of proposing a concrete remedy, acknowledging that most players require professional representation, yet warned that spiralling commissions threaten the game’s economic stability.

Silva Wants Barça, But Catalans Hesitate

Elsewhere on the Iberian peninsula, Manchester City playmaker Bernardo Silva is reportedly “doing everything possible” to secure a free transfer to Barcelona when his Etihad deal expires this summer, according to Sport. Despite previous overtures, Barça’s sporting director Deco has requested additional evaluation time, balancing Silva’s quality against concerns over age—he turns 31 in August—and positional congestion. Saudi Pro League sides, Juventus and boyhood club Benfica have all registered interest, offering Silva and super-agent Jorge Mendes viable alternatives should the Camp Nou route close.

Wharton Sets Sights on Champions League Football

Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, 22, expects to leave Selhurst Park after a breakout season, with Manchester United monitoring the England hopeful. The Sun indicates Wharton is targeting Champions League football, a stage United cannot guarantee in 2025-26. United’s expanded shortlist also features Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. Brighton, initially demanding £100 million for Baleba, are reportedly softening that stance as the market evolves.

Freund’s Future Under Internal Review

Inside the walls of Säbener Straße, sporting director Christoph Freund’s role is under internal review. Although his contract runs through 2027, ultimate renewal authority rests with Bayern’s executive board—CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, Max Eberl and Rouven Kasper. Sources close to the club praise Freund’s stewardship of the campus and credit him with re-energising the academy pipeline. Despite criticism of last winter’s signings—Sacha Boey and Bryan Zaragoza struggled for minutes—his measured approach is valued amid an often-fractious hierarchy.

Tottenham Track Hütter as Tudor’s Tenure Teeters

Finally, Tottenham Hotspur are weighing a move for former Eintracht Frankfurt and Monaco boss Adi Hütter if interim coach Igor Tudor fails to arrest the club’s slide. The Telegraph notes that Sunday’s defeat at Nottingham Forest has intensified scrutiny, though Tudor was absent post-match following a family bereavement. Spurs have an international-break window to decide, with their next fixture not until 12 April. Hütter’s résumé includes a second-place Ligue 1 finish at Monaco and developmental stints at Gladbach and Salzburg, positioning him as a viable long-term option in North London.

Bayern’s hierarchy will hope their own long-term planning—on fees, personnel and philosophy—proves equally decisive as Europe’s off-season chessboard begins to take shape.

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