Bayern boss SLAMS Madrid, Barca and City's 'irrational' pursuit of Haaland

FT Desk

• 14 Apr 2022 11:38 CDT
• 5 min read

Former Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has taken aim at the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City by claiming the manner in which Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is being courted is “irrational”.

The Norway international has spent the season being linked with many of Europe’s biggest clubs and is expected to depart the Bundesliga side for a transfer fee of around €75 million.

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However, the player’s agent and father are expected to demand a bonus that would likely take the transfer over €100 million.

As such, Haaland’s price has ruled the striker out of moves to some of the continent’s biggest clubs, such as Juventus or Bayern.

And when asked about the constant media speculation and crazy prices that are now being quoted for the world’s best players, Rummenigge took aim at the Dortmund striker as the perfect example.

'It is becoming more and more irrational'

“Take another example: the whole fuss about Erling Haaland. It has taken on proportions that are counterproductive for football as a whole, and it doesn't help the boy either,” said the former Bayern boss in an interview with Kicker.

“The fans already can't understand the sums involved. We had Corona with all the financial damage, yet the demands of advisors and players keep rising.

“There is no more rationality in the business. On the contrary, it is becoming more and more irrational.”

Bayern have their own transfer rumours to worry about, with Serge Gnabry, Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer and most notably Robert Lewandowski all approaching the final year of their contracts.

The German giants are expected to complete contract renewals for all four, but speculation has hit fever-pitch over the future of each player - especially Lewandowski.

The Poland international has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer and Rummenigge believes his former club may be struggling to deal with all the off-the-field drama that has come with this season.

“It's not easy, but you have to find a procedure to make the subject more relaxed,” said Rummenigge. “You have to be able to work in peace again at some point.

“That applies to football in general, and of course also to Bayern as Germany's most prominent club."