Five top targets for Premier League trio in duel with LaLiga heavyweights

The recent news that Jamal Musiala has rejected Bayern Munich’s latest contract offer has thrown the German superstar’s future at the Allianz Arena into question.

The 21-year-old, who has been with the Bavarian giants since joining from Chelsea in 2019, is now in the final year of his current contract with the 33-time Bundesliga champions.

Musiala was just 16 when he signed for Bayern. After breaking into the first team in the 2020/21 season, the versatile attacking midfielder developed into one of the best players in the world in his role, scoring 45 goals and providing 34 assists in 148 appearances.

With the long-term future of the former England youth international still unclear, several of Europe's biggest clubs are reportedly positioning themselves to snap up a deal.

Here are five possible destinations for Musiala if he decides to leave Bayern and how he would fit into each club…

real Madrid

It's no surprise that Real Madrid have been the club most linked with a Musiala transfer of late. The 15-time European champions, who always keep a keen eye on their next Galactico transfer, are reportedly keen to pair the 36-time international star with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in football's most fearsome attacking line.

And unlike Mbappe's arrival from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, there is an obvious role for Musiala to fill at the Bernabeu. With Vinicius on the left and Mbappé in the middle, the former Chelsea wonderkid could fit seamlessly into Carlo Ancelotti's lineup on the right, a position he has previously held at club and international level.

That might limit Musiala's ability to cut inside from the left onto his stronger right foot, but Madrid's attack in this incarnation would be so fluid and interchangeable that he would have ample opportunity to explore his preferred areas of the pitch. And with his mesmerising ball control, creativity and ability to find space in the box, he could be a key part of a highly productive attack.

In addition, Musiala also has a shared history with Madrid's English superstar Jude Bellingham. The two previously played together at youth level for the Three Lions and would now have the opportunity to rekindle the on-field understanding they developed in England.

DEEP INSIGHTS ➡️ 13 Bundesliga top stars whose contracts expire in 2025 as Bayern Munich faces an exodus

Manchester City

Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions with four consecutive wins, are also a serious interest in Musiala. And like Madrid, Pep Guardiola's side are also obvious suitors for the talented Bayern star.

Musiala's versatility could see him deployed anywhere in City's second line of attack behind Erling Haaland, where his creativity and ability to outrun multiple opponents would make him the perfect partner for the goal-threatening Norwegian striker.

It is easy to imagine Musiala thriving in the wing position that Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku and Savinho have played at the Etihad this season.

But it would be equally fascinating to see Guardiola try to make Musiala a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne or Bernardo Silva in a deeper and more central position.

Musiala was in the 89th percentile for shots on goal per 90 minutes (5.44) among Bundesliga attacking midfielders and wingers last season. With Haaland as the main beneficiary of that creativity, City could become even more dominant.

DON'T MISS ➡️ Seven LaLiga players without a contract in 2025: Real Madrid faces three departures, Atletico is also hit hard

Liverpool

With Mohamed Salah's contract at Anfield now entering its final year, Liverpool's attack will likely be missing a game-changing superstar next summer. Musiala, who is 11 years younger than the Egyptian, could fill that gap.

The German has not yet proven himself to be a goalscorer on Salah's level. Over the last three seasons, Musiala has scored 36 goals in 125 appearances. The legendary Reds striker, on the other hand, has scored 86 goals in 146 games over the same period.

The Bayern youngster would therefore not be an equal replacement for Salah. If Liverpool were to pursue a high-profile transfer for the player, whose value is estimated at over 100 million euros, Arne Slot would have to change his attacking line somewhat.

But with Musiala, Liverpool would have a new star at the heart of their attack. They would capitalise on his skills and make him the focal point of the attacking line. The 21-year-old's exciting, agile dribbling style would delight the Anfield fans.

Barcelona

Barcelona's transfer spending has been limited in recent seasons due to the club's financial difficulties, but this summer they managed to raise enough money to bring in an expensive signing from the Bundesliga: Dani Olmo, who arrived from RB Leipzig for €60 million.

This season, the Blaugrana have made a brilliant start to their La Liga campaign, powered by a handful of up-and-coming academy graduates and a few experienced stars, such as Musiala's former Bayern colleague Robert Lewandowski.

Furthermore, the man overseeing Barca's impressive new season is former Bayern and Germany coach Hansi Flick, who coached Musiala at his two previous stints and is reportedly keen to work with the attacking midfielder again in Catalonia.

With Olmo in the middle as a number 10 and 17-year-old budding superstar Lamine Yamal on the right, Musiala would fit perfectly on Barcelona's left flank, completing a fearsome trio to serve Lewandowski at the point of attack.

READ MORE ➡️ 16 Premier League free agents in 2025: Trio of Liverpool superstars lead some eye-catching names

Manchester United

Should Musiala decide to leave Bayern in the near future, he will likely have a number of options better suited to immediate success than Manchester United.

Despite their comparative lack of fame over the last decade, the Red Devils remain one of the biggest and most attractive clubs in the world. And their still-enduring appeal has been demonstrated by the signing of several high-profile and sought-after stars – from Paul Pogba to Bruno Fernandes and Leny Yoro.

The German's tactical suitability for Erik ten Hag's team was not in question. He was immediately the most talented and top-class attacker in the squad of the 20-time champions. Everyone else had to line up around him.

While rivals City and Liverpool might be more obvious candidates for his signature, it would be a monumental sign of United's intention to make Musiala the face of their new era under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.