In the summer, FC Bayern set a transfer record for the transfer of Harry Kane – both within the club and across the league. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has now revealed exciting details about the poker surrounding the star striker.
FC Bayern put 95 million euros on the table to free dream player Harry Kane from his long-time employer Tottenham Hotspur after weeks of back and forth.
A wise investment: In his first 16 competitive games for the German record champions, the captain of the English national team was directly involved in 28 (!) goals (21 hits, seven assists).
In an interview with “WAZ”, FCB supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke again about how the mega deal came about.
“We were convinced from the start that we needed a center forward. Unfortunately, the other players couldn’t compensate for the 40 to 50 competitive goals that Robert Lewandowski had guaranteed us,” explained the 68-year-old.
Rummenigge continued: “The market for outstanding center forwards wasn’t big: Benzema went to Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo too. That’s why it was clear: we would put everything into the Kane transfer.”
FC Bayern without “considering the last 10 million”
Numerous rounds of discussions were necessary to finally convince Tottenham and CEO Daniel Levy to transfer the attacker.
“When our CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen flew to London for negotiations, I always said: Please don’t take the last 10 million into account. We need this player, he will be a key player in our entire structure – on the pitch, however also outside,” Rummenigge looked back.
The experienced official emphasized that he had “looked for a lot of contact with Harry himself and explained to him what Bayern Munich is.” “There were times when I contacted him almost every day. […] I developed a really friendly relationship with him.”
Rummenigge said he also had a “good relationship” with Levy, although “his negotiating style was not always subject to entertainment tax.” At the same time, he was able to “understand” the Spurs boss.
Rummenigge’s conciliatory conclusion: “In the end we found an adequate solution for both sides and are very happy with it.”