Bayern Munich have informed the representatives of defender Hiroki Ito to seek a new club for the player this summer, according to a report in Bild. The 25-year-old Japanese international arrived at the Allianz Arena in 2024 from VfB Stuttgart, but has struggled for consistent playing time during his two seasons in Bavaria.
Bayern are reportedly willing to part with Ito for a fee of around €20 million. The club originally paid €23.5 million to secure his services from Stuttgart, where he had established himself as a versatile defender capable of playing both centrally and at left-back. Ito’s time in Munich has been hampered by injuries, limiting him to 31 appearances across all competitions.
Bild reports that La Liga in Spain is viewed as a potentially attractive destination for Ito. While no specific clubs have been mentioned, the Spanish top flight could offer him a more prominent role than he has found at Bayern. Competition for places in the Bayern squad is fierce, particularly with the arrival of new defensive signings in recent transfer windows.
Ito has earned 18 caps for Japan, featuring in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He initially joined Stuttgart in 2022 from J1 League side Jubilo Iwata, quickly becoming a key player for the German club before attracting the attention of Bayern. His versatility and technical ability made him a desirable target for the Bundesliga champions.
The potential sale of Ito would allow Bayern to recoup a significant portion of the fee they paid to Stuttgart and free up a squad space. It remains to be seen where Ito will ultimately move, but a transfer this summer appears increasingly likely as Bayern look to reshape their defensive options.
