Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness has described Premier League spending during the transfer window as “completely crazy” and insisted clubs in the Bundesliga “go our own way”.
Teams in the Premier League spent approximately £3.19billion in the window that closed on Monday with champions Liverpool shelling out £446.5m.
In contrast, Bayern were relatively quiet with Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson, whose loan deal will become permanent next summer, their notable additions for a combined £135m.
Bayern miss out on Woltemade
Bayern were also interested in Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade but saw two bids rejected before Newcastle stepped in to pay £69m for a player signed by the Swabians on a free transfer 12 months earlier.
“I can only say that I was stunned by what has happened in the last six to eight weeks in international football,” said Hoeness, who also sits on Bayern’s supervisory board.
“I think it’s completely crazy what’s going on. If we’re not careful, people will eventually ask, ‘Are they still sane?’ I work for 2000 to 3000 euros net per month, and at the same time 30, 40, 50 million euros are spent on mid-level players.”
Germany needs to lead the way
Hoeness has discussed the issue with Friedrich Merz with the German chancellor keen for Bundesliga clubs to maintain their 50+1 rule, even though it may hamper their ability to compete in Europe.
Hoeness agrees, and added to Kicker: “We Germans have to take on a leadership role again. We must go our own way, show strength and not make ourselves dependent on the money of the Arabs, American hedge funds or oligarchs. It is important to continue to develop young players and help in such a way that we never have to accept this money.”
Bayern are among the favourites to win this season’s Champions League even if Hoeness feels it is similar to Hoffenheim’s chances in the Bundesliga.
“I can only say that I am looking forward to the coming season,” Hoeness added, “because we are going into the Champions League season like Hoffenheim.”
