Softfootball can confirm that Bayern Munich are working to secure the signing of highly rated Austrian teenager Matteo Silvio Marić, as the Bundesliga giants continue their push to recruit elite young talent for their academy system.
The 16-year-old attacking midfielder, currently under contract with RB Salzburg, has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the Austrian youth system and has attracted interest from several top European clubs.
Despite that competition, Bayern are now actively attempting to win the race for the youngster as they look to strengthen their long-term development pipeline.
According to a post made by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on his official X handle, Bayern have recently intensified efforts to sign the talented playmaker.
Romano posted:
EXCLUSIVE: FC Bayern are pushing to sign Matteo Silvio Marić as new talent to add to their Academy. Talks ongoing as several top European clubs are keen 16 year old Austrian midfielder from RB Salzburg.
Marić is regarded as a technically gifted midfielder with strong vision, creativity, and game intelligence qualities that have allowed him to stand out within Salzburg’s renowned youth structure.
Bayern’s pursuit of the teenager also reflects the influence of two key figures now overseeing squad planning in Munich. Sporting director Max Eberl and technical director Christoph Freund both previously worked within the Red Bull football network, meaning the club continues to maintain strong scouting ties with their former environment.
Under the initial plan being discussed, Marić would join Bayern’s academy setup, developing through the club’s highly regarded campus structure before eventually challenging for first-team opportunities. The pathway mirrors the development model previously followed by players such as Jamal Musiala, who was integrated gradually before becoming a central figure in Bayern’s senior squad.
The young midfielder has already represented Austria ten times at youth international level and is widely viewed as one of the country’s brightest emerging prospects. His performances in Salzburg’s youth ranks have placed him firmly on the radar of European scouts in recent years.
Marić is expected to move to Munich in the summer if negotiations are successfully completed. While the exact transfer fee has not yet been disclosed, RB Salzburg are set to receive a training compensation payment for the player’s development as part of the deal.
This development comes just hours after Canadian international Alphonso Davies officially returned to training with Bayern Munich after spending several months on the sidelines recovering from a serious knee injury. The club confirmed that the 25-year-old left-back completed large portions of the team’s final training session ahead of their Bundesliga fixture against Borussia Mönchengladbach, although head coach Vincent Kompany stated he will not yet be available for selection.
For Bayern Munich, the move aligns perfectly with their current strategic direction. The club has increasingly prioritised recruiting high-potential youth talent from across Europe in an effort to build a sustainable long-term squad capable of competing at the highest level.
With Eberl and Freund guiding sporting decisions, Bayern’s links with the Red Bull talent pipeline could become even stronger in the coming years as the German champions continue identifying promising players at an early stage of their careers.
In other transfer developments, Manchester United are reportedly optimistic about generating a total package worth up to €80 million from the potential permanent departures of Rasmus Højlund and Marcus Rashford this summer. Napoli have already paid €6 million toward Højlund’s move and are believed to be confident of activating the €44 million purchase clause. Meanwhile, Barcelona remain in advanced negotiations to sign Rashford permanently for €30 million following an impressive loan spell during the 2025/26 season.
