Hiroki Itō pushed toward Bayern exit as Japan brace for Netherlands opener

Bayern tell Itō's agents to find a new club

Hiroki Itō's time at Bayern Munich looks over. The club has instructed his representatives to find him a new home this summer, with a price tag set around €20m (1).

Bayern's board member for sport Max Eberl has given the green light for the Japan international to leave. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have both been mentioned as potential destinations (1).

After two seasons in Bavaria, Itō now faces a career-defining move – and Japan fans will be watching closely to see where their defender lands before the World Cup.

Japan draw the Netherlands in World Cup opener

Japan's World Cup campaign begins against the Netherlands in what is shaping up as a brutal first test. Dutch media describe Hajime Moriyasu's side as dynamic and warn that Ronald Koeman's team will need to be at their very best (2).

The match carries the weight of an entire group-stage trajectory – a result here could set the tone for Japan's ambition of a historic deep run.