Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Vice-President and CEO of Bayern Munich, has reaffirmed the club’s long-standing transfer policy, stressing that key players are not for sale regardless of how large the offers may be. He referenced a past transfer episode involving Franck Ribéry to illustrate Bayern’s firm stance.
Addressing growing speculation about a possible €200 million bid for winger Michael Olise, Rummenigge recalled a pivotal moment in 2009 when Bayern received what he described as an extraordinary offer from Chelsea FC for Ribéry.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Rummenigge explained that the club held extensive internal talks at the time, involving then chief financial officer Karl Hopfner and former club president Uli Hoeneß, to determine how to respond to the record-breaking proposal.
He noted that the leadership spent hours weighing their options before ultimately reaching a landmark decision that would shape Bayern’s transfer approach moving forward. The club resolved that it would no longer sell any player considered essential to the team’s performance, regardless of the financial incentive.
Rummenigge emphasized that this philosophy remains unchanged today, describing it as an unwritten rule that continues to guide Bayern’s transfer decisions. He made it clear that even a massive offer would not be enough to tempt the club into selling a player as valuable to the squad as Olise.
His remarks underline Bayern Munich’s commitment to maintaining squad strength and stability above financial gain, particularly when it comes to players regarded as central to the team’s success.