Will Bayern Munich really let Hiroki Ito leave for another top club?

On an August night, the Allianz Arena was as bright as ever. Bayern Munich had just defeated Stuttgart 5-1 in the Bundesliga opener, a perfect start to their title ambitions. But on the bench, there was a quiet image few noticed: Hiroki Ito, the €23.5 million signing from Stuttgart itself, sat there for the full 90 minutes without being called upon. This was the second consecutive match he remained an unused substitute, following the German Supercup. For a 27-year-old player at the peak of his career, this moment says it all: he is being forgotten within a winning collective. The context of this story began in the summer of 2026, when Bayern recruited Ito from Stuttgart with the expectation that he would be a quality option for the defense. But after just one season, the picture is completely different. Bayern currently possesses a quartet of top-class centre-backs: Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, Kim Min-jae, and Josip Stanisic who can cover the position. Ito is only the fourth choice, a position with no clear future. Even the left-back position - where he once played well at Stuttgart - has been closed off by other quality options. The harsh truth is: at Bayern, Ito has no path to regular playing time. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Ito's representatives have proactively contacted Ajax Amsterdam. This is not a passive "wait and see if an offer comes" transfer situation, but an active campaign from the player's side. Ajax, after losing both Josip Sutalo and Ko Itakura in defense, is in dire need of a left-footed ball-playing centre-back - a rare and expensive player profile in Europe. Ito, with his ability to build play from the back and his flexibility between centre-back and left-back, is a perfect addition to Ajax's possession-based style of play. Tactically, Ito's fit with Ajax is very high. Ajax always plays with a high defensive line and superior ball possession. Ito, who excelled in build-up play at Stuttgart, would be a key link in constructing play from the defensive third. His left-footed diagonal passing ability would open new attacking angles for Ajax. Conversely, at Bayern, he is trapped in a hierarchy too rigid for him to break. Being an unused substitute in both opening competitive matches, especially against his former club Stuttgart, is a clear signal from the coaching staff that Ito is not part of the rotation plans. Interestingly, Bayern has no pressure to keep Ito. With four quality centre-backs remaining, the Bavarian club faces no structural gap if he leaves. Financially, selling a player not in the plans for a reasonable fee is entirely rational. Ito's contract runs until 2028, meaning Bayern still has three years to negotiate, but his value will depreciate each year. Selling now, while there are still three years left on the contract, is the optimal time to secure a good transfer fee. However, there is a counter-intuitive perspective that few notice: Ito's neglect at Bayern could be a signal of Ajax's strategic shift. Instead of continuing the traditional "develop and sell" model, Ajax is transitioning to a "buy experience to stabilize" strategy. They have brought in Marc-André ter Stegen, Julian Brandt, Caio Henrique, Daley Blind, and Sofyan Amrabat - all experienced players from top European leagues. Signing Ito would be a perfect piece for this strategy: a centre-back who has proven his quality in the Bundesliga, is affordable, and is hungry for regular playing time. Regulation-wise, there is an important detail: Germany's transfer window closes on September 1, while the Netherlands' closes on September 2. This means Ajax has an extra day to complete the deal after Bayern can no longer buy new players. Technically, Bayern can still sell Ito after their window closes, as the selling club does not need to register the player. This is a small but significant advantage in negotiations. The biggest question right now is the price. The original article does not mention a specific asking price, but it can be predicted that Bayern will receive less than €23.5 million - the amount they paid for Ito. At age 27, with limited appearances and an injury history, Ito's market value likely falls in the €15-20 million range. This is a price Ajax can afford, especially after generating significant funds from the sales of Sutalo and Itakura. From a human perspective, Ito's story is the story of many talented players trapped in the hierarchy of big clubs. He is not a poor player - quite the opposite, he is a modern, left-footed centre-back, a profile most top European clubs covet. But at Bayern, where there are too many quality options, he simply has no opportunity. This is not an injustice, but a harsh reality of elite football. What is noteworthy is how Ito handles this situation. Instead of publicly complaining or pressuring the coaching staff, he and his representatives have quietly sought a new destination. This is a professional approach, showing the maturity of a player who has experienced many ups and downs. Proactively contacting Ajax shows that Ito not only wants to leave Bayern, but also wants to go somewhere he can maximize his potential. For Ajax, this is an opportunity not to be missed. They are in a strong rebuilding phase, and having a quality centre-back like Ito will help them compete seriously in the Eredivisie and Europe. The combination of Ito's experience and the youth of Ajax's talents promises to create a solid defense. As for Bayern, letting Ito go is a smart business decision. They will receive a transfer fee, free up wage budget, and reduce squad management complexity. There is no reason to keep a player not in the plans, especially when the team is off to a good start. As the new season begins and the transfer window is about to close, all parties have the motivation to complete this deal. Ito needs playing time, Ajax needs a centre-back, and Bayern needs to resolve a personnel issue. This is a deal where all parties benefit - a rare occurrence in the volatile transfer market. On the white night of Russia in 2026, I learned that football is not just about numbers and tactics, but about human destinies. Hiroki Ito is not a number in Bayern's balance sheet. He is a talented player in need of an opportunity to prove his worth. And perhaps, Ajax is where he will find it. When the transfer window closes, the question is no longer whether Ito will leave Bayern, but whether he will find a place where he belongs. For a 27-year-old player at the peak of his career, the answer is probably clear. And when the ball rolls on the Johan Cruyff Arena pitch, perhaps we will see a new Hiroki Ito - a player freed from the bench, ready to write a new chapter in his career.