Munich, August 1, 2025 – A statement by Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer is causing a stir in the football world. In an exclusive interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the club boss spoke openly about one of the biggest transfer blunders of recent years – and doesn’t mince words.
“We sold him for a low transfer fee back then, but today he’s worth more on the transfer market than Kimmich and Musiala. We still regret letting him go.”
With these words, Hainer expressed his deep dissatisfaction with a transfer that was made under Hasan Salihamidžić ‘s management . Hainer declined to reveal the exact name of the player in question, but according to internal sources, it is most likely Ryan Gravenberch , who moved to a Premier League club in 2023 for a comparatively small fee.
Since his move, Gravenberch has undergone tremendous development. He is now one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League, impressing with consistent performances, leadership qualities, and impressive statistics. Numerous top European clubs—including Manchester City and Real Madrid—have already expressed interest.
Bayern Munich are frustrated, as while the club has fallen short of its own expectations over the past two seasons, the lost diamond now seems to be shining elsewhere. Fans on social media are fiercely debating the decision at the time, accusing Salihamidžić of being too impatient with talent.
“That wasn’t a sale – that was a gift!” commented one disappointed fan on X (formerly Twitter).
The loss could also prove particularly painful from a sporting perspective: FC Bayern is planning a major shake-up in midfield for the new season, and a player of Gravenberch’s caliber would currently fit perfectly into the system.
Whether a return is realistic remains unclear – according to Transfermarkt.de , the player’s current market value is well over €100 million. For many, he’s now more valuable than Kimmich and Musiala – an assessment that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.
