The summer transfer window is heating up, and Bayern Munich could be set to make a tough call on one of their recent big-money signings. Japanese defender Hiroki Itō, who joined the German giants from VfB Stuttgart for nearly €25 million just two seasons ago, may be on his way out of the Allianz Arena.

Itō's time in Munich has been plagued by injury. The versatile defender—capable of playing both center-back and left-back—has struggled with recurring metatarsal issues since picking up a long-term problem in preseason ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. He's managed fewer than 30 appearances across all competitions, far below what Bayern expected when they brought him in as one of the Bundesliga's most promising defensive talents. Hindsight is always 20/20, but it's been a tough road for a player who showed so much quality at Stuttgart.

According to reports from tz's Philipp Kessler and Vinzent Tschirpke (via @iMiaSanMia), Bayern are now open to the possibility of Itō leaving this summer. However, they won't let him go for nothing—the club needs a suitable offer to avoid taking a major financial hit on their investment.

Itō's contract runs through June 2028, and his current market value has dipped to around €18 million, reflecting his injury-hit seasons. With Bayern already planning defensive reinforcements for the summer window, sporting director Max Eberl and technical director Christoph Freund may decide it's time to cut their losses. The club's recent contract extension for fellow defender Dayot Upamecano only adds to the logjam at the back.

Eberl and Freund face the tough task of reducing Bayern's overall wage bill while balancing new signings and key contract extensions. Offloading Itō for the right price—ideally somewhere between €20-25 million—could free up both funds and squad space for fresh additions. For Itō, a move could offer a fresh start and the chance to rediscover the form that made him one of the Bundesliga's most sought-after defenders just a few years ago.