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Bayern narrowly missed Haaland transfer – exclusive Villa visit!
Find out how Bayern Munich came close to signing Erling Haaland in 2021 and what factors failed.
Bayern narrowly missed Haaland transfer – exclusive Villa visit!
In a fresh look at past football transfers, Christian Falk's new book, Transfer Insider, reveals how FC Bayern Munich almost signed Erling Haaland in 2021. The German record champions were very interested in the striker, but financial aspects ultimately prevented a move.
The then Bayern sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, contacted Mino Raiola, Haaland's agent, immediately after a 4-2 win against Borussia Dortmund. This call marked the beginning of the negotiations that would unfold around a secret villa visit in Harlaching. Falk's research shows that Haaland found Bavaria's popularity and sporting plans quite appealing.
Haaland, who was playing for Borussia Dortmund at the time, was invited to Salihamidzic's villa, accompanied by Raiola and his father Alfie. During this meeting he expressed that he liked the house, but wanted it "for free", which lightened the mood and caused some laughs. Bayern were prepared to pay a record sum for the player and wanted to make him the center of their future. Loud Yahoo Sports They were determined to go beyond their previous financial limits to bring Haaland to the Bavarian capital.
Financial hurdles
Despite all their efforts, FC Bayern was ultimately unable to compete with the tempting offers from Premier League clubs. Raiola finally made it clear to Salihamidzic that Haaland was deeply convinced, but that the financial details would influence his decision. The move failed because Bayern could not keep up with the salaries that Manchester City had to offer. This is how Haaland moved to Manchester City in the summer of 2022, where he has scored an incredible 127 goals in 149 games to date.
The transfer report impressively shows how close a move from Haaland to Bayern actually was. Uli Hoeneß subsequently criticized the “transfer madness” in football and addressed what many fans thought: the unequal distribution of financial resources between the German and English clubs, which is increasingly influencing the big decisions in football.
A football phenomenon
Haaland's success at Manchester City could see him continue to be linked with other top European clubs in the coming years, with a move to Real Madrid not seeming out of the question. His impressive numbers so far and breathtaking form make him the focus of transfer talks. The design of the player rating is how FootballTransfers sets out, a complex issue based not only on current performance but also on estimated future capabilities.
The failed signing of Haaland is therefore not just a look back at a missed opportunity, but reflects the challenges that German clubs face if they want to survive in the global transfer market.