Harry Kane or nothing
A gigantic poker that drives FC Bayern to the limit
By Tobias Nordman
07/12/2023, 8:38 p.m
FC Bayern and coach Thomas Tuchel want to attack again after a sobering season. In all competitions. The key to this is the commitment of a striker. When searching, the Munich team should focus on one player, which is risky.
When Pep Guardiola started his service at FC Bayern in the summer of 2013, he had only one wish: “Thiago or nothing” was his clear message to the Bayern bosses. They obeyed. And brought the little Spaniard to Munich. The playmaker cost 25 million euros at the time. An investment that has paid off in full. Admittedly, his time on Säbener Straße was not free of criticism because he was not who he should have been in important games. But by the treble season of 2020 at the latest, the free spirit had earned his permanent place in the club’s legends series. Just in time before moving on to Liverpool.
This summer, Munich will experience another “Thiago or nothing” moment. Even if a verbal equivalent of coach Thomas Tuchel is not known. Depending on the medium, his wish list is said to be quite long. Among other things, Mason Mount and Declan Rice are said to have stood on it. Mount, whom Tuchel fondly remembered from their time together at Chelsea, is moving to Manchester United. Rice is likely to be on the verge of a transfer from West Ham United to Arsenal. Tuchel is said to have personally tried very hard to get Rice. including a home visit. There was probably also Harry Kane.
Lewandowski gap is still wide
The star striker should definitely come. According to “Sport Bild”, the Tottenham Hotspur captain has been proclaimed the top transfer target for the record champions. The 29-year-old is to fill the position that has been vacant since the departure of the Polish goalkeeper Robert Lewandowski. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made a real effort last season, but struggled with health problems in the second half of the season. The French top talent Mathys Tel was not believed to be capable of the big leap, all the other experiments did not work out in the long term. That’s why a superstar “nine” is supposed to come from now, just like Kane.
The problem: Spurs boss Daniel Levy does not want to let his goalscorer go for good reasons. He has been the club’s life insurance for years. And he should stay that way. The new team manager Ange Postecoglou said just last Monday: “He’s one of the best strikers in the world and I want him to be involved here.” The Australian is also hoping for good arguments on his part. “My discussions with him will be about making this club successful and I have no doubt he wants that too.” However, Postecoglou did not receive an assurance that Kane would stay beyond the summer. “I wouldn’t expect any either. You can never come up with certainties when it comes to things like this. What I do know at the moment is that Harry is part of this team and is looking forward to coming back.” At least he showed up for the start of training – but because of his valid contract he had no other choice.
At least 100 million euros due
Kane and Bayern are said to be in agreement. If the transfer succeeds, it would be the second world star transfer in a row. Sadio Mané came last summer. It was much cheaper and didn’t work (so far). Probably also because his profile didn’t match what the record champions needed. Just a hurricane. Kane is one of those. And the poker in full swing. Meanwhile still with the better hand for the current employer. According to a report by the “Daily Mail”, FC Bayern could not convince the Spurs bosses with their second offer of 80 million euros plus bonus payments. According to other reports, Munich would have to pay at least 100 million euros for Levy to give in. The club would thus advance into a new dimension. The limit was considered a no-go for a long time, but had recently been softened more and more. Among other things, from Uli Hoeneß, the returned club patron. Especially since Bayern have repeatedly pointed out in recent times that they are in a very good financial position.
As “Sport Bild” now reports, the Bayern bosses are convinced that they will not sign the Englishman until next summer, if necessary. Then he would be free, as of now, because his contract with Spurs expires in 2024. A lot can happen before then. The Londoners are making intense efforts to persuade their captain to stay longer. The “Guardian” had reported that the references should be significantly adjusted.
And then there’s the competition. Paris St. Germain are preparing for the departure of Kylian Mbappé, who is increasingly antagonizing the club’s bosses with angry taunts. The club has already lost a star in Lionel Messi, and Neymar’s future is uncertain. And Real Madrid is still looking for the big solution after the farewell to world footballer Karim Benzema.
Maybe Los Blancos will find them with Mbappé in the next few days. The rumors about a change just can’t be stopped. But still PSG. And the club apparently wants to get into poker for the top scorer from the island. There, at PSG, the Qatari money is rampant, in Munich, on the other hand, the attractiveness of the league would be the big pound (compared to Ligue 1). The prospect of the handle pot, which Kane has never won, would be there at both clubs, if not dazzling. Defending champions Manchester City or Real Madrid seem too far away. Especially when another striker comes from the highest echelon of international football, which is likely.
Another season without nines?
But could FC Bayern afford to play another season without a classic nine? Rather not. Options are also discussed, according to the “Sport Bild”. World champion Julián Álvarez, for example, should be considered for a loan. At Man City he has just extended his contract until 2028, but he cannot get past goal monster Erling Haaland. Another man as a placeholder is said to be the Serb Dušan Vlahović, who was unable to assert himself at Juventus in his debut season. Other media write Niclas Füllkrug as the record champion. In Munich he could be a cheap interim solution on the way to Kane. However, the national player is said to be about to move to Bayer Leverkusen because Patrik Schick is still missing there. The number of candidates for the position is not unlimited.
There is also something else: The alternatives do not bring what FC Bayern misses so longingly and maybe also sees in Kane. He’s the captain of the English national team, so a seasoned leader. Kane could be someone to prevent Bayern from suddenly inexplicably collapsing, as happened multiple times in last season’s Bundesliga final sprint. The Munich squad lacks – with exceptions (Kimmich, Müller) – such types of players. That could also explain the strong interest of the Bavarian club.
The situation for the record champion is quite explosive, very different from Thiago. Because the people of Munich will not be able to avoid a man in the center if they want to play a leading role in Europe. This also determines the prices on the market. And where do you know your way around huge sums better than in the Premier League? Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli) and Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt) were already considered too expensive for FC Bayern because sums in excess of 100 million euros are said to have been called for. The sum can also become a risk for the Munich team, because such a transfer fee does not allow a long adjustment period. Kane should work immediately.
The pressure is great, unlike in the summer of 2013. “Thiago or nothing” was a luxury problem. Because there was plenty of quality in central midfield with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Javi Martinez and Luiz Gustavo. And in the storm? Mario Mandzukic and the aging Claudio Pizarro played there. Together they scored 37 goals across all competitions. Thomas Müller contributed another 26 goals. Other times.