Kane to soon discuss contract extension with Bayern

Munich - AFP - Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane said on Tuesday that he is preparing to begin contract extension talks with the German champions beyond 2027.

Speaking during a media day in Munich, the 33-year-old England captain told journalists that negotiations had been postponed pending his return from his post-World Cup holiday, but would start soon.

Kane said about these negotiations: "I don't know exactly when it will happen, but it will start this week or next. We are calm and they are calm about the situation. Clearly, the time has come to start talks, as there is only one year left on the contract, and this is important."

German media reported that Kane's new contract will extend at least until 2029.

Kane joined Bayern in 2023 on a four-year deal, winning the Bundesliga title twice and the DFB-Pokal once, and reaching the Champions League semi-finals in two of the last three seasons.

He has scored 146 goals in 147 matches across all competitions for Bayern.

Former German international star Lothar Matthäus said on Tuesday that Kane should be the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded in October.

Matthäus, who won the award in 1990, said Kane "deserves" this honor more than any other player after an exceptional season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 matches.

The 1990 World Cup champion wrote in an article for Sky Germany: "(Kane) has delivered exceptional performances in my opinion, and has not experienced any moment of decline whatsoever."

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala returned to team training, but individually, after recovering from a health scare that caused him to collapse during Saturday's friendly match against Leipzig (3-1).

The 23-year-old player fell to the ground at the end of Saturday's match and required medical attention amid hot conditions in the Bavarian capital, where temperatures exceeded 30 degrees Celsius.