German Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich is not going to join the race to sign Barcelona captain Lionel Messi.
Messi had earlier in the week dropped a transfer request after getting frustrated with the way things are at the club. He has therefore been linked to host of top clubs in Europe.
The six-time world footballer of the year could be available this summer, but Bayern has counted themselves out of it. This was confirmed by Bild’s Christian Falk. He noted that the European champions have a very stable lineup right now and they are not ready to break their wage structure for the talisman.
Bayern’s CEO speaks on Lionel Messi
Also confirming Bayern’s position is the club’s CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Speaking to Tuttosport (via Goal), he insisted that the club finances don’t align to make such a monumental signing and it is not the club’s policy to sign older players.
“No. We can’t pay a player of that size. It is not part of our policy and philosophy.
“Honestly, hearing that Messi could leave Barcelona makes me a little sad. Leo has written the history of that club and in my opinion, he should end his career with the Blaugrana.”
Although Messi can improve the Bavarians, Die Roten has ruled out big-money signings this summer due to the pandemic. The club’s focus is on rebuilding the first team by signing young players in the last two windows. They have overhauled their defense by signing Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard last summer. Tanguy Kouassi, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain, will further add depth in the defense.
Leroy Sane had linked up with the club this summer from Manchester City. This shows that the club is reinforcing the attacking department as well.
The older players Bayern had signed in the last three summers, include Philippe Coutinho, James Rodriguez, and Ivan Perisic, who all arrived on loan deals. There is a likelihood that the Croatian winger may join permanently, but his fee is not huge.
As said by the coach, Hansi Flick, the team will lose some exceptional players with Coutinho and Perisic returning to their parent’s clubs first. Other departures from the club could be Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez.
According to reports, the club is in the market to sign a right-back cover for Pavard and a midfielder to compensate for the departure of two Spaniards.
Bayern not interested in Cristiano Ronaldo as well
The CEO, who is is a big fan of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo also dismissed move for the Juventus star in 2018.
Rummenigge stated further that a move to Munich was never discussed. The CEO said that they didn’t go for the Portuguese captain because Robert Lewandowski is already on their books.
Ronaldo then went ahead to move to Juventus from Real Madrid, where he spent nine record-setting years.
“We had, and still have, Lewandowski. We didn’t need a striker like Ronaldo. But Juventus did very well, [Andrea] Agnelli landed an extraordinary blow.
“It has been a successful purchase from all points of view. CR7 scored a lot and in important games. And thanks to his global image, he made Juventus grow commercially.
“The name helps, but quality must always be there too: Cristiano Ronaldo has it all.”
Rummenigge also believes that Ronaldo can remain at the top for some time as he is about to clock 36.
“We are talking about an extraterrestrial. Ronaldo lives for football, like Lewandowski. They train, eat and rest with one goal: to improve their performance and be the best. And in the end they are, like [Lionel] Messi.
“They are examples for young people. They are champions and super-rich, but every day they make sacrifices because they want to win.”
