Arena or Neymar?
Bayern CEO Rummenigge prefers the stadium
BERLIN: Bayern Munich CEO KarlHeinz Rummenigge said the German champions would never spend any
where near the 222mil (RM1.12bil) that Paris St Germain paid for Brazilian forward Neymar this month, saying he would prefer a stadium with that money.
Rummenigge, who also heads the Europe’s clubs association (ECA), said more “rationality” was required as transfer costs spiralled out of control.
“During the Neymar transfer I asked myself the question what would be more important: Neymar or the Allianz Arena,” Rummenigge told Sport Bild
magazine yesterday.
“I have to say clearly that I prefer having the Allianz Arena which is also more important. We as Bayern Munich must have a different philosophy,” Rummenigge said.
“Overall the Neymar transfer could cost even more than the arena.”
Bayern took out a 346mil (RM1.7bil) loan in 2005 to build their new stadium on the outskirts of the city and paid off the 25year loan 16 years early in 2014.
Bayern’s own transfer record was set in June when the Bavarians paid
41.5mil (RM209mil) to sign France international Corentin Tolisso (pic).
“We do not want to do this and we cannot do this (spending like PSG). And that is fine. That is also seen as the right way by the public and our fans,” Rummenigge said. The French club paid the record fee earlier this month to lure the talented 25yearold Neymar from Barcelona.
The transfer doubles the previous world record fee paid when Paul Pogba moved last August from Juventus to
Manchester United for a 105mil (RM528mil).
“FIFA, UEFA, the ECA, leagues and the players union FIFpro should discuss this,” Rummenigge said.
“I think we should all sit at the table, that would be my proposal.
“We could find more rational rules for football as a whole.
“Otherwise the public will not understand it any more, fans will lose their connection.”