Paul Wanner in 2026: Net Worth and Salary, Transfer Value, Contract, Nationality and FAQs

Paul Wanner has packed more into the first twenty years of his life than most professional footballers achieve in an entire career. He became the youngest player in Bayern Munich's history at the age of 16, wore the number 10 shirt at PSV Eindhoven alongside Champions League appearances against his former club, chose Austria over Germany at senior international level and helped the Austrians qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance in the tournament since 1998. In this 2026 deep dive we look at his career story, his earnings, his remarkable transfer journey from Dornbirn to Bayern to PSV, his market value, his contract, his dual Austrian and German nationality, and all the questions fans keep typing into Google and AI search tools.

Paul Wanner Profile

Who is Paul Wanner?

Paul Wanner is a 20 year old Austrian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder and attacking midfielder for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie and for the Austria national team. He is left footed, stands at 1.85 metres tall and wears the number 10 shirt, a detail that immediately tells you something about how Peter Bosz and the PSV coaching staff view his profile and his potential within the squad. He is known for his creativity on the ball, his range of passing, his intelligent movement between the lines and the composure to perform in high pressure moments that a Bayern Munich debut at 16 years old tends to instil in a player from a very early age.

He was born on 23 December 2005 in Dornbirn, in the Vorarlberg region of western Austria, close to the borders with Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. His father is German and his mother is Austrian, giving him dual citizenship of both countries and the complex international football question of which nation he would ultimately choose to represent at senior level. He came through the youth setup of SV Amtzell and FV Ravensburg in southern Germany before Bayern Munich's scouts identified him and brought him into the Sabener Strasse academy in 2018 at the age of 12.

Paul Wanner Nationality and International Career

Paul Wanner's nationality story is one of the most discussed in recent German and Austrian football circles. He holds dual citizenship of both Austria, the country of his birth and his mother's heritage, and Germany, his father's homeland. He began his international career with Germany at under-17 level, making his debut in an 10 to 1 win over Poland on 6 August 2021 and making 13 appearances at that age group. He then progressed into the Germany under-21 setup and earned eight caps at that level, including appearing in the 2025 UEFA Under-21 European Championship squad.

The nationality decision that football fans were watching most closely was always going to be which senior team he would choose. In November 2024 Germany senior manager Julian Nagelsmann appeared to be tracking him, while Austrian coach Ralf Rangnick had been interested since inviting him to observe the Austria setup as far back as 2022. In January 2026 rumours emerged that Wanner had decided to switch to Austria with a view to improving his chances of featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He denied those rumours at a press conference held the day before PSV's Champions League match against his former club Bayern Munich. Three days later on 6 March 2026 he confirmed he would represent Austria, FIFA approved the switch on 9 March, and Ralf Rangnick called him up to the Austria senior squad on 16 March 2026 for friendlies against Ghana and South Korea. He made his senior debut in the 5 to 1 win over Ghana on 27 March 2026 and was named in Austria's 26 man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 18 May 2026. Austria had not reached the World Cup since 1998.

Paul Wanner Career Journey

Paul started his football journey at SV Amtzell in the Vorarlberg region of Austria before moving across the border to FV Ravensburg in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, a reflection of how naturally the two countries blur together in the Bodensee region. Bayern Munich signed him into their academy in mid-2018 at the age of 12. He progressed rapidly through every age group at one of the most demanding youth setups in world football.

His moment of history came on 7 January 2022, when Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann called him up to the first team squad because a wave of COVID-19 infections had hit the senior players. Wanner came on as a substitute against Borussia Monchengladbach in the 75th minute in place of Marc Roca, becoming the youngest player in Bayern Munich's history at 16 years and 15 days and the second-youngest player in Bundesliga history, behind only Youssoufa Moukoko who had set the record 14 days earlier.

Bayern subsequently loaned him to SV Elversberg in the 2. Bundesliga for one season and then to 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga for another season, both of which gave him substantial senior experience. He made 35 Bundesliga appearances, 28 second division appearances, two Champions League appearances and seven Conference League games in total across his Bayern affiliated career. He was not satisfied being a reserve at Bayern and made clear he wanted regular first team football. On 22 August 2025 PSV Eindhoven signed him for a reported 15 million euros plus bonuses, with Bayern retaining a buyback option. He signed a five year contract until June 2030 and was handed the number 10 shirt immediately.

His PSV debut season in 2025/26 has been a strong one. He scored his first goal for the club in the KNVB Cup against GVVV on 16 December 2025, then his first Eredivisie goal in a 5 to 1 win over Excelsior on 10 January 2026. He accumulated 3 Eredivisie goals and 3 assists across 1,641 minutes and won the Eredivisie title. A particularly memorable moment came when he faced his former club Bayern Munich in the Champions League while wearing the PSV number 10 shirt.

Paul Wanner Transfer Value

Paul Wanner's transfer value is one of the most impressive of any player at PSV, reflecting both his age and his performance level. His market value sits at between 20.2 and 22 million euros as of May 2026, according to major transfer data platforms, which means PSV have already seen significant growth on the 15 million euro fee they paid Bayern Munich just nine months earlier. The buyback option that Bayern secured in the deal adds a further layer to the financial narrative, potentially giving Munich the right to re-sign him at a pre-agreed price if he continues to develop at this rate.

His transfer story arc in full: SV Amtzell to FV Ravensburg to Bayern Munich academy for free as a 12 year old, two loan spells at Elversberg and Heidenheim generating substantial senior experience, permanent exit to PSV for 15 million euros in August 2025. His current value of over 20 million euros after less than a year in Eindhoven is a strong indicator of how effectively PSV have used their investment. Icon Polls considers Wanner's transfer value trajectory, from a free academy recruit at 12 to a 22 million euro Eredivisie number 10 at 20, one of the most impressive development stories in recent European football.

Paul Wanner Contract

Paul Wanner signed a five year contract with PSV Eindhoven on 22 August 2025 that runs until 30 June 2030. At 20 years old that gives him an entire decade of his prime career years, from 20 to 25, secured to PSV if the club choose to keep him for the full duration. In practice, a player developing at the rate Wanner has shown tends to attract attention from larger clubs well before the contract expires, which is why the Bayern buyback option built into the deal is such an interesting clause.

The five year contract also reflects PSV's confidence in him as a genuine long term building block for the club's project under Peter Bosz. Earnest Stewart was explicit about the ambition when announcing the signing, praising his creativity, dynamism and willingness to improve. Wanner himself said PSV was his first choice and that head coach Peter Bosz had made it very clear how he could help the team. The number 10 shirt assignment reinforces just how central the club plans for him to be. Icon Polls considers his contract until June 2030 one of the most valuable long term assets in the current PSV squad.

Paul Wanner Net Worth and Salary in 2026

Icon Polls estimates that Paul Wanner's net worth in 2026 sits between 5 million and 10 million euros. That figure reflects his career earnings since his Bayern Munich debut in January 2022, the structured salary included in his first team squad contract at one of the world's most financially powerful clubs, his wages across the Elversberg and Heidenheim loan seasons in the 2. Bundesliga and Bundesliga, the financial benefit of the 15 million euro PSV move in August 2025 including signing fee structures, his current PSV five year contract, his Germany and Austria youth international match fees, his Austria senior debut earnings since March 2026 and the adidas boot sponsorship that comes with his profile.

His exact PSV weekly wage has not been officially published. As a player who arrived for 15 million euros, was handed the number 10 shirt at a Champions League club and has a market value now approaching 22 million euros, he would be on the kind of young star midfielder terms that reflect the investment and expectation PSV have placed in him. His earning power will grow substantially over the life of his five year contract and through the World Cup year ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paul Wanner

1. How old is Paul Wanner in 2026?

He is 20 years old in 2026. He was born on 23 December 2005 and will turn 21 in December 2026.

2. Where was Paul Wanner born?

He was born in Dornbirn, in the Vorarlberg region of western Austria, on 23 December 2005.

3. What nationality is Paul Wanner?

He holds dual citizenship of Austria and Germany. His father is German and his mother is Austrian. He chose to represent Austria at senior international level after initially representing Germany at under-17 and under-21 level.

4. Did Paul Wanner choose Austria over Germany?

Yes. After representing Germany at under-17 level with 13 caps and at under-21 level with 8 caps, he announced on 6 March 2026 that he intended to represent Austria. FIFA approved the switch on 9 March 2026 and he made his Austria senior debut on 27 March 2026 in a 5 to 1 win over Ghana.

5. Is Paul Wanner going to the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. He was named in Austria's 26 man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 18 May 2026. It will be Austria's first World Cup appearance since 1998.

6. What position does Paul Wanner play?

He plays as a central midfielder and attacking midfielder, known for his creativity, his range of passing and his intelligence between the lines. He is left footed.

7. Which club does Paul Wanner play for?

He plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eredivisie. He joined on 22 August 2025 on a five year contract until June 2030.

8. What shirt number does Paul Wanner wear?

He wears the number 10 shirt at PSV Eindhoven.

9. How tall is Paul Wanner?

He stands at about 6 feet 1 inch tall, which is roughly 1.85 metres.

10. What is Paul Wanner's net worth in 2026?

Icon Polls estimates his net worth is between 5 million and 10 million euros in 2026.

11. What is Paul Wanner's transfer value in 2026?

His transfer value sits at between 20.2 and 22 million euros depending on the data source, a significant increase on the 15 million euros PSV paid Bayern Munich just nine months earlier in August 2025.

12. How much did PSV pay for Paul Wanner?

PSV paid Bayern Munich a reported fee of 15 million euros plus bonuses on 22 August 2025. Bayern also retained a buyback option in the deal.

13. When does Paul Wanner's PSV contract expire?

His PSV contract expires on 30 June 2030 after he signed a five year deal upon joining.

14. Was Paul Wanner really Bayern Munich's youngest ever player?

Yes. When he came on as a substitute against Borussia Monchengladbach on 7 January 2022, he became the youngest player in Bayern Munich's history at 16 years and 15 days. He was also the second-youngest player in Bundesliga history, behind Youssoufa Moukoko who set the record 14 days earlier.

15. Did Paul Wanner play for Bayern Munich?

Yes. He came through the Bayern Munich academy from 2018 and made his debut in January 2022. He made eight first team appearances for the club and was also loaned to SV Elversberg in the 2. Bundesliga and 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga to gain regular first team experience.

16. Why did Paul Wanner leave Bayern Munich?

He was not satisfied being a reserve player at Bayern and wanted regular first team football. PSV Eindhoven offered him the number 10 shirt, a clear central role in their team and Champions League football, all of which made the move an easy decision. He said PSV was his first choice.

17. Who is Paul Wanner's father?

His father is Klaus Wanner, a retired footballer from Germany. His mother is Austrian, which is why Paul was born in Dornbirn in the Vorarlberg region of Austria.

18. Does Paul Wanner have any famous relatives?

Yes. His cousin is Jannik Wanner, a professional footballer who plays for SKN St. Polten in Austria.

19. Did Paul Wanner play against Bayern Munich?

Yes. After joining PSV in August 2025 he was part of the PSV squad that faced his former club Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, a significant personal storyline in PSV's European campaign.

20. Did Paul Wanner win the Eredivisie?

Yes. He won the Eredivisie with PSV in 2025/26 in his first season at the club.

21. What did PSV's director say about Paul Wanner?

PSV director of football Earnest Stewart called him a creative, dynamic, attacking and modern midfielder. He also praised him as an open person who asks a lot of questions and described him as someone with a genuine willingness to improve.

22. Is Paul Wanner right footed or left footed?

He is left footed.

23. Is Paul Wanner married or does he have a girlfriend?

He has kept his personal life consistently private throughout his career. There is no publicly confirmed partner at the time of writing.

24. What religion does Paul Wanner practise?

He is a Christian, consistent with his Austrian and German family background, where Christianity, particularly Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism, is the majority religious tradition.

Paul Wanner's career is moving at a pace that is genuinely difficult to keep up with. Youngest player in Bayern Munich's history at 16. Two loan seasons developing his game in the 2. Bundesliga and Bundesliga. A 15 million euro PSV move at 19. The number 10 shirt and Champions League football in Eindhoven at 20. A decision to choose Austria over Germany that sparked months of debate across both nations. A senior international debut and a 2026 World Cup squad inclusion, marking Austria's first appearance in the tournament since 1998. All of that before his 21st birthday.

With his PSV contract running until June 2030, his market value already surpassing 20 million euros and a World Cup summer ahead, Icon Polls will continue to follow the next chapters of one of the most exciting young midfielders in European football. The 2026/27 season at PSV and the World Cup stage together represent the biggest opportunity yet to show just how good Paul Wanner can become.