Latest news with #KarlHeinzRummenigge
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge disappointed Florian Wirtz chose Liverpool over Bayern Munich
Florian Wirtz is officially a Liverpool player having completed a move from Bayer Leverkusen for what has been reported to be an initial fee of €125 million fee with another €15 million in performance-based add-ons included. He's signed a five-year deal with the reigning Premier League champions, keeping him on Merseyside through 2030 and putting the proverbial nail in the coffin for Bayern Munich, who fully expected him to be joining them before Liverpool swooped in. For the better part of the past six to seven months, Bayern seemed like the natural, logical next step for Wirtz and the player himself indicated interest in making that leap. Former Bayern president Uli Hoeneß had been in routine contact with the player's family to try to seal the deal and explain the plan that the club had for the 22-year old, but in the end, he decided to go to Liverpool. It's been heavily suggested that conversations with manager Arne Slot had a lot to do with Wirtz choosing Liverpool over Bayern, especially knowing that he'll be solidified in the number 10 role there. Advertisement Former Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expressed the sentiment shared by most Bayern fans when he recently expressed his disappointment with the German Rekordmeister having missed out on such a generational talent. 'Generally speaking, I think it's a pity. We've always had the philosophy that the best German players should play for FC Bayern. We gave it our all; in this case, no one made a mistake. It's Florian's decision – and we have to accept it,' Rummenigge explained in a recent interview with Welt Am Sonntag (via @iMiaSanMia). Meeting – 49th UEFA Ordinary Congress When both Rummenigge and Hoeneß were both still in office at Bayern, they had often dreamed about Hoeneß's desire for 'FC Deutschland,' in wanting to have all of the best German players playing for Bayern. The heavy contingent of Bayern players always being picked for the German national team were often reflective of that dream being, for all intents and purposes, somewhat of a reality, though it has started to trend in the opposite direction in recent years. Advertisement Nonetheless, Bayern is continuously competing with the undertones of top talents choosing the Premier League over the Bundesliga with the allure that the English top flight has. Harry Kane's move to Munich from Tottenham had hallmarks of helping reduce that polarity, but the economic state of disparity between the Premier League and the German top flight is always growing larger. More from
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Bayern Munich 'are eyeing up swoop for Liverpool forward Luis Diaz after European giant saw bid rejected' - as star makes admission over his future
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz is being eyed up for a summer swoop by Bayern Munich, a report has claimed - and he has admitted he is talking to other clubs. The Bundesliga giants have shortlisted Diaz as they look to strengthen at left wing, alongside PSG 's Bradley Barcola and Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. That is according to Sky Germany, with Bayern bosses Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge finding Diaz, 28, 'very exciting'. Despite the interest, there has not yet been official contact from the Bavarian side, but Liverpool could be open to selling the Colombian for a reasonable offer. Indeed, they are said to be drawing up potential alternatives should Diaz move on. The versatile Diaz made 50 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring 17 goals and providing eight assists, and helped the Reds win the Premier League. Addressing his future while on international duty, Diaz said: 'I'm very, very happy in Liverpool. From day one, they've made me feel really welcome. 'Right now we're in contact with them because we're speaking with [other] clubs. It's normal, the market is open, and we're trying to sort out what's best for us. 'I am just waiting to see what happens. If Liverpool doesn't make a good offer, I still have two years left with them, I would be happy and content to stay there. And that's it, everything depends on them obviously, it's up to me to decide what's best for us.' Diaz moved to Anfield from Porto in January 2022, in a deal worth around £50million. He has scored 41 goals in his 148 total appearances for the Reds, tasting success in the top-flight as well as lifting the FA Cup and two Carabao Cups. Under contract until 2027, Diaz has not been formally offered an extension, and he could slip behind Florian Wirtz in the pecking order next season. Previous reports indicated that Barcelona saw an approach rebuffed this month, while Saudi Pro League outfit Al Nassr have also been credited with an interest. Diaz is said to have been open to joining the LaLiga club, believing this is the right time for a new chapter after three-and-a-half successful campaigns on Merseyside. Spanish newspaper SPORT said Diaz's asking price sits at around £51m - a valuation that Barcelona are unlikely to reach despite him being a top target. However, head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco have both given the green light for the transfer in what has been dubbed 'Operation Luis Diaz'. Liverpool, meanwhile, have already made five signings this summer. Wirtz joined for a club-record £116m fee from Bayer Leverkusen, quickly followed by team-mate Jeremie Frimpong, while Milos Kerkez arrived from Bournemouth. Goalkeepers Armin Pecesi and Freddie Woodman will provide back-up to Alisson.
