Football News

“It is time”: Bayern president confirms change in club’s transfer policy

By Steve Jennings

Published: 18:38, 16 April 2019

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has insisted it is time for the club to change its transfer policy by refreshing the squad with youthful signings.

Ahead of what could be a big-spending summer, the German giants have already agreed a deal to sign Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez for £68m.

Why are Bayern changing their transfer policy? Five key things to know…

  1. Before the £68m deal to sign Lucas Hernandez went through, Bayern’s record signing was Corentin Tolisso who arrived for around £36m.
  2. That’s a relatively low record fee among Europe’s top clubs in today’s market.
  3. Bayern are on course to win a seventh successive Bundesliga title but have struggled in the latter stages of the Champions League in recent years.
  4. Many of their star players are in their 30s, including Arjen Robben (35), Franck Ribery (36) and Robert Lewandowski (30).
  5. Hernandez (23) is the first of what is expected to be a youthful contingent of new arrivals.

https://audioboom.com/posts/7234057-i-can-t-think-of-any-potential-arsenal-signings-that-make-more-sense

Hernandez will become the second most expensive defender in history, coming in behind Liverpool’s £75m deal for Virgil van Dijk.

But Hoeness has defended the fee, suggesting spending large sums is necessary if Bayern want to transform their squad.

“I was surprised that our €80m was criticised so much,” Hoeness told German outlet Deutschen Presse-Agentur (via Goal).

“Recently, it was still being said that with a cautious transfer policy, Bayern have no chance of breaking into the group of English and Spanish top clubs and Paris Saint-Germain. Now we deliver and people shout: ‘How can you spend €80m on a player?’ What would people have cried when we bought Kylian Mbappe?

“We believe that the time has come for Bayern to put their hard-earned money on the market to bring back a new, young team to the pitch.”

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Bayern would buy Mbappe if they could afford him – Hoeness

While a number of young, expensive players appear to be on Bayern’s wishlist, Hoeness has admitted Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe simply isn’t affordable.

The Bayern president claimed buying Mbappe would put most clubs in financial trouble.

“I would buy Mbappe immediately. The player is great. But we don’t have the money necessary for that,” Hoeness added.

“It’s not about whether Mbappe is worth the money. The question is: can anyone afford to spend this money without getting into financial trouble?

“I read that the most expensive picture in the world cost almost €400m at an auction. Is a work of art worth it? Of course not! But if someone really wants to own it and pays so much for it, that’s ultimately his decision.”