Bayern’s Japan Plan: Mitoma Targeted as Sané Replacement Amid Potential Japanese Trio Era in Munich

Bayern Munich’s summer rebuild is beginning to take on a distinctly East Asian flavor, with growing reports that the Bundesliga giants are eyeing Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma as a potential replacement for Leroy Sané, whose future at the club is increasingly uncertain.

According to multiple German media outlets, including BILD and Sky Sports, Bayern are strongly considering a €40–45 million move for the Brighton & Hove Albion star, with sporting directors Max Eberl and Christoph Freund spearheading negotiations. Mitoma, 28, ended the 2024–25 Premier League season with 10 goals and 3 assists in 35 appearances—a consistent performer despite Brighton’s fluctuating campaign.

Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that Mitoma is on new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany’s shortlist, alongside Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz and AC Milan’s Rafael Leão. Leão remains a backup option, with his contract at Milan running through 2028 and a far higher valuation than Mitoma.

Bayern’s interest in Mitoma coincides with their ongoing transition, which could also include a breakup with South Korean centre-back Kim Min-jae, who joined the club just last summer. Sources confirm that Bayern have already reached a verbal agreement with Jonathan Tah, the Bayer Leverkusen and Germany national team centre-back. Tah’s arrival would likely push Kim toward the exit door.

And should Kim depart, Bayern may not look far to fill the void. Football-Asian.com understands that Ko Itakura, the Borussia Mönchengladbach and Japan international defender, is being monitored as a potential replacement. A switch would make sense both tactically and culturally, as Bayern look to tap into the rising wave of Japanese influence in the Bundesliga.

With Mitoma on the wing and Itakura at centre-back, Bayern could field three Japanese players next season—a significant milestone for a club historically known for its German core. The third would be young midfielder Taichi Fukui, who has already been integrated into Bayern II.

Bayern’s Japanese pivot is not merely symbolic—it’s strategic. Mitoma brings direct dribbling, lethal cutting runs, and powerful right-footed shots, qualities that mirror Sané’s profile. As Sky Germany’s Luca Sixtus reported, Mitoma is viewed as a like-for-like successor should Sané leave due to unresolved contract extension issues.

Sané and Kingsley Coman are both reportedly on the radar of top European and Saudi Arabian clubs. Bayern’s willingness to reshape its attacking core indicates a more flexible transfer approach under Kompany and the new front office.

Meanwhile, Lee Hyun-joo, a 21-year-old attacking midfielder from South Korea who spent the 2024–25 season on loan at Hannover 96, is expected to return to Bayern this summer. However, due to budgetary constraints at Hannover and a lack of first-team opportunities in Munich, Lee will likely be searching for a new club ahead of the new season. Once viewed as a long-term prospect, his future now appears uncertain.

Adding to the narrative, Bayern previously rejected a €90 million winter bid from Al-Nassr SC for Mitoma, forcing the Saudi side to sign Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán instead.