Bayern Munich ranks among the most prominent and successful football clubs in European history and as such, have had some of the sport’s greatest players on their roster.
While the Bavarians are known to poach talents from their domestic rivals, they have also managed to secure key signings from clubs in the other top European leagues.
Soccernet.football takes a look at the ten most expensive signings in Bayern’s history.
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10. Javi Martinez – €40m (2012)
Bayern Munich activated Martinez’s €40m release clause in 2012, prying him away from Athletic Club and the former Spain international formed an impressive midfield partnership with Bastian Schweinsteiger as the Bavarians did the treble by winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League in 2012/13.
9. Corentin Tolisso – €41.5m (2017)
Tolisso became the most expensive signing in Bundesliga history when he moved from Lyon to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2017. The Frenchman had an outstanding debut season in Bavaria, but a cruciate ligament injury in September 2018 disrupted his progress and he struggled to regain his best form afterward. He eventually returned to Lyon on a free transfer after being released by Bayern in 2022.
8. Dayot Upamecano – €42.5m (2021)
Upamecano joined Bayern in the summer of 2021 after the club activated the €42.5 million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract. Since then, the Frenchman has made over 100 appearances for Bayern and won two Bundesliga titles. However, he has proven to be error-prone, most notably enduring a horror show against Manchester City in the 2022/2023 Champions League quarter-finals.
7. Leroy Sane – €49m (2020)
Since joining the Bavarians from Manchester City in the summer of 2020, the 28-year-old winger has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent, however, he has struggled to find consistency in a Bayern shirt. Sane will now be hoping to produce his best form under new Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, who he played alongside at Manchester City.
6. Min-Jae Kim – €50m (2023)
Following an outstanding debut season at Napoli where he won the Serie A title and was named the best defender in Italy, Min-Jae made the switch from Naples to Munich in the summer of 2023. He has struggled to replicate his Serie A form in the Bundesliga since Bayern activated the €50 million release clause in his contract.
5. Joao Palhinha – €51m (2024)
Bayern have added the Portuguese midfielder to their ranks after completing a €51 million deal with Premier League club Fulham. The Bavarians were close to signing Palhinha last summer, only to see the move fall through on deadline day. The 29-year-old has established himself as one of the best midfielders across Europe and if he can continue to perform at the levels he displayed at Fulham, Bayern are sure to get value for their money.
4. Michael Olise – €53m (2024)
Olise shone for Crystal Palace during the 2023/2024 Premier League season, drawing interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Bayern Munich. The Bavarians ultimately secured his signature, agreeing to pay Palace an initial €53 million, with the potential for the fee to rise to €59 million with add-ons. The 22-year-old is currently representing France at the Olympics and is set to play for gold on Friday.
3. Matthijs de Ligt – €67m (2022)
De Ligt joined Bayern in the summer of 2022 and he earned widespread praise for his performances during the 2022/2023 campaign, even securing a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. However, he fell out of favor under Thomas Tuchel last season and Bayern are now looking to sell him to Manchester United for around €50 million.
2. Lucas Hernandez – €80m (2019)
Bayern shattered the Bundesliga transfer record in 2019 by spending €80 million to bring Hernandez from Atletico Madrid. During his four seasons in Germany, the Frenchman won four Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. His injury plagued time in Munich came to an end in the summer of 2023 when he left for Paris Saint-Germain.
1. Harry Kane – €95m (2023)
Bayern signed Kane from Tottenham Hotspur for a whooping €95 million last summer and the English goal poacher enjoyed an outstanding debut season individually, scoring 44 goals and providing 12 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions. However, his efforts were in vain as the Bavarians finished third in the Bundesliga and endured their first trophyless season since 2011/2012.
