Bayern Munich are reportedly keen to hand Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting a new contract as soon as possible.
When the German giants sold Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona during the summer transfer window, they failed to sign a like-for-like replacement, instead bringing in Liverpool winger Sadio Mane.
Despite losing their star man, Bayern have had no problems scoring goals this campaign, their issues coming in defence rather than in the final third.
However, despite the wide array of quality wingers at the Allianz Arena, it is the impact of Choupo-Moting which has caught the eye the middle of October.
The Cameroon international, who has been nothing more than a backup squad member since his arrival in 2020, has contributed seven goals and two assists in his last six appearances in all competitions.
More impressively, the 33-year-old has netted in each of those outings, including during Champions League victories over Barcelona and Inter Milan.
While Bayern officials may have intended to extend the veteran's contract past the end of this season at some stage, his sustained impact over the past three weeks has changed the situation.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, a new deal will be discussed "in the next months", realistically before the turn of the year when the player can hold discussions with foreign clubs regarding a pre-contract agreement.
Romano adds that Choupo-Moting is viewed as "a top professional" by key figures at Bayern and fresh terms will be reward for his new-found status.
In total, Choupo-Moting has been provided with five starts and six substitute appearances by Julian Nagelsmann in the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Compared to the last campaign, Choupo-Moting is only 77 minutes short of his total game time in the Bundesliga, while he has already accumulated 176 minutes in the Champions League.
Despite having played over 900 minutes fewer than Mane, Choupo-Moting has only scored three fewer goals from the Senegal international.
The former Stoke City and Paris Saint-Germain frontman has taken his overall record for Bayern to 26 strikes and nine assists from 71 appearances in all competitions. body check tags ::