It’s now part of the business: the signing fee. For players whose contracts are expiring or have expired, it makes sense instead of a transfer fee. But the Munich club is also very generous when it comes to contract extensions. And this is not the first time.
Real Madrid is known for big deals, expensive transfers, and high salaries. Signing bonuses also flow here and there, probably more than elsewhere. Take Kylian Mbappé’s transfer on a free transfer, for example. Understandable when a transfer fee of more than €150 million was saved. However, when it comes to contract extensions for existing professionals, even the Royals are becoming increasingly tough.
Either he wanted to continue playing for the world-class club from Madrid on the terms offered to him or leave the club, according to unofficial reports. The Real management remained firm, even with the 2024 FIFA World Footballer of the Year.
Bayern show goodwill
FC Bayern, on the other hand, has been showing more goodwill for some time now. Whether it’s the contract extensions for Alphonso Davies, Jamal Musiala, and Joshua Kimmich last February or the new signings Tom Bischof, Jonathan Tah, and Jonas Urbig. And now, with Dayot Upamecano, there is talk of a signing bonus of at least €15 million. This is another very generous amount, although it is not yet clear whether the center back will receive this as a one-off payment or spread over the term of the contract. However, Upamecano has not yet signed the contract, but FCB is very hopeful that this will happen soon. The contract is expected to run until 2030. If the 27-year-old ultimately signs the contract, Munich would have approved nearly €100 million in signing bonuses in the past twelve months alone. This certainly makes Bayern one of the most generous clubs in Europe.
Real Madrid is not the exception and by no means the only club that is increasingly foregoing signing bonuses when extending contracts. At Bayern, it has obviously long been standard practice.
