The most expensive Bayern Munich transfers of all time: Michael Olise three places behind Harry Kane

Lucas Hernandez, Harry Kane and Matthijs de Ligt playing for Bayern Munich

Lucas Hernandez, Harry Kane and Matthijs de Ligt have all made big-money moves to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich are one of the biggest football clubs in the world and they have made some big-money transfers in recent years. 

The Bavarians love to take players away from their domestic rivals but they have also agreed deals with clubs in Serie A, Ligue 1, La Liga and the Premier League.

We’ve taken a look at the 11 most expensive signings in Bayern’s history and how those players subsequently fared after completing the move.

Note: we’ve only used the initial transfer fees and haven’t taken into account any potential add-ons.

11= Arturo Vidal – €37m

After playing a huge role in Juventus’ run to the 2015 Champions League final, Vidal joined Bayern in a deal worth an initial €37million.

The combative midfielder registered 22 goals and 17 assists in 124 appearances for Bayern, helping them win three Bundesliga titles, a DFB-Pokal and the German Super Cup twice.

He struggled with injury problems during his final season in Bavaria and was sold to Barcelona in a €20million deal in 2018.

11= Mario Gotze – €37m

Once regarded as one of the best young players in the world, Gotze broke Borussia Dortmund’s hearts when he completed a €37million move to Bayern Munich in 2013.

Despite winning three successive Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokals at Bayern, he struggled with injury problems and failed to replicate his Dortmund form in the iconic red shirt.

The midfielder – who scored the winning goal for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final – returned to Dortmund in a €26million deal in 2016.

“With the experience I have now, I would make the decision [to leave Dortmund] at a later stage, but I wanted to take the risk at the time and make the next step,” he said in 2016. “Looking back at it, I would have made a different decision now.”

9. Javi Martinez – €40m

Martinez’s impressive displays for Athletic Bilbao did not go unnoticed and Bayern Munich activated his €40million release clause in 2012.

The former Spain international formed an impressive midfield partnership with Bastian Schweinsteiger as Bayern won the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League in 2012/13.

He picked up another 21 trophies over the following eight seasons and left the club in 2021 with 268 appearances to his name.

8. Corentin Tolisso – €41.5m

Tolisso became the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history when he left Lyon and joined Bayern Munich in the summer of 2017.

The midfielder enjoyed a brilliant debut season in Bavaria but a cruciate ligament injury in September 2018 derailed his progress, and he then struggled to rediscover his best form.

After being released by Bayern at the end of the 2021/22 season, the France international returned to Lyon on a free transfer.

7. Dayot Upamecano – €42.5m

One of four defenders on this list, Upamecano joined Bayern in the summer of 2021 after they triggered the €42.5million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract.

The France international has since made over 100 appearances for the club and has also bagged two Bundesliga winners’ medals.

But he has shown himself to be very error-prone, most notably in a disastrous display against Manchester City in the 2022/23 Champions League quarter-finals.

6. Leroy Sane – €49m

After spending four years at Manchester City, Sane returned to his native Germany in the summer of 2020 and joined Bayern in a deal that could ultimately cost €60million.

While the 28-year-old winger has shown glimpses of his immense talent, he’s struggled to find much consistency in a Bayern shirt.

He will now be hoping to produce his best form under new Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, who he played alongside at Manchester City.

Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich

Joshua Kimmich and Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich

5. Kim Min-jae – €50m

Min-jae enjoyed an excellent debut season at Napoli in 2022/23, winning the Serie A title and being voted the best defender in Italy.

Bayern triggered the €50million release clause in his contract in 2023, but he’s struggled to replicate his Serie A form in the Bundesliga

“Personally, it wasn’t a satisfactory season and I have to improve next season,” the South Korea international admitted.

“When a season is over, you always spend time reflecting on things as a player. What did I do right, what was missing and what improvements are needed. When I make mistakes and show weaknesses, it’s even more important to learn from them. I will be much stronger next season.”

4. Michael Olise – €53m

Olise starred for Crystal Palace in the 2023/24 season and his form attracted interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Bayern Munich.

Bayern won the race for his signature after agreeing to pay Palace an initial €53million, although the fee could rise to €59million with add-ons.

“I’m very happy to now be playing for such a big club – it’s a great challenge and that’s exactly what I was looking for,” he said after signing a five-year deal.

“I want to prove myself at this level and play my part in ensuring we win as many titles as possible in the coming years.”

3. Matthijs de Ligt – €67m

De Ligt left Juventus in the summer of 2022 and joined Bayern in a €67million deal, which could rise to €77million with potential add-ons.

The centre-back won plenty of plaudits in 2022/23 and his impressive performances also earned him a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

But he fell out of favour under Thomas Tuchel in 2023/24 and Bayern are now looking to sell him to Manchester United for around €50million.

His potential departure has not been well received by the Bavarian faithful, who have started a petition to keep the Netherlands international at the Allianz Arena.

2. Lucas Hernandez – €80m

Bayern broke the Bundesliga transfer record and splashed €80million on Hernandez in 2019 to lure him away from Atletico Madrid.

The defender won the Bundesliga in each of his four seasons at Bayern and also lifted the DFB-Pokal, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2020.

But his time at the club was plagued by a number of injury problems and Bayern made a €40million loss on the France international when they sold him to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

1. Harry Kane – €100m

After failing to replace Robert Lewandowski in 2022, Bayern identified Kane as their top transfer target in the summer of 2023.

They had three bids knocked back by Tottenham but eventually agreed to pay an initial €100million and another €20million in potential bonuses for the England international.

He enjoyed a great debut season on an individual level, registering 44 goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions in 2023/24.

However, his goals were ultimately in vain as Bayern finished third in the Bundesliga and had a trophyless season for the first time since 2011/12.

READ MORE: The top 10 most expensive signings in Bundesliga history: Bayern Munich dominate

Bayern Munich Harry Kane Michael Olise

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