A lot has been said and written about Sadio Mane’s transfer to Bayern Munich from Liverpool. The Senegalese captain is a top player in his prime years, already has one Champions League trophy along with AFCON and the Premier League titles, but the price for which he was bought was still too much for some people. The main reason for criticism was that 32 million euros is too much for a player who is 30 years old and had only one year remaining in Liverpool. Many Bayern fans thought that the Reds were asking too much, and that the Bavarians should have played a ‘hard ball’ with Liverpool. But just a quick look at the Bayern’s most expensive players list suggests that this is one of the best deals they have made in years. Believe it or not, Sadio Mane’s transfer is ‘only’ 12th most expensive in club’s history, and if you look at some of the names….well…How Mane nearly ended in Barcelona and PSG11. Mario Gomez – 35 millionThe German international came from Stuttgart in 2009 and had a good career with the Bavarians (174 games, 113 goals). He won two Bundesliga titles along with the Champions League (2012/13) and was sold to Fiorentina after four years for 15.5 million. Milan out to lose another Lille player, as Sanchez is PSG bound10. Renato Sanches – 35 millionThe soon to be PSG player started his career as a bright talent in Benfica and Bayern wanted to quickly pick him up. They paid the heavy price, as the Portuguese international was too young (18) to soak up the pressure in Munich. He was a major flop, and soon shipped to Swansea on a loan. Bayern decided to accept the loss on the player and sold him to Lille in 2019 for 20 million. He has flourished since and at 24, he is a Portugal regular and on a verge of signing for PSG. 09. Mats Hummels – 35 millionBorussia Dortmund defender was one of plenty of footballers who commited the ‘ultimate sin’, singing with fierce rival Bayern Munich, but unlike Robert Lewandowski who came for free, the Bavarians had to pay a hefty sum for the German international. His average career with Bayern ended after three years, with only Bundesliga titles to show for (he won them in Borussia too) as he went back to Dortmund. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6477665##08. Benjamin Pavard – 35 millionThe Frenchman was brought in from Stuttgart in 2019, and so far he has been a steady first team player with 119 games already, not to mention the Champions League and three Bundesliga titles. Money well spent. World Cup and five time Bundesliga winner is coming back to Germany07. Mario Gotze – 37 millionSee under Mats Hummels. Came as a promising player from Dortmund, came back to Dortmund after three years for 22 million. Wasn’t a regular with Pep Guardiola and doesn’t have the Champions League title. Flop of the century: Paid 18 million, played 0 minutes06. Arturo Vidal – 37 millionJuventus sold the Chilean international to Bayern in 2015 and he played in 214 games in which he scored 22 goals. He won three Bundesliga title before switching to Barcelona for 18 million. 05. Javi Martinez – 40 millionThe third on the list of Athletic Bilbao’s most expensive departures, (behind Kepa (80 million) and Laporte (65)), Javi Martinez was bought by Bayer in 2012. He played in 268 games during his 9 years stay, won 9 titles and two Champion Leagues, along with a number of German cups, but due to decline in form and various injuries left the club as a free agent.Tolisso could not hide his tears, the biggest deal of his career goes to waste?04. Corentin Tolisso – 41.5 millionA brilliant sale for Lyon. They sold their home grown player to Bayern in 2017 for big bucks, and he ended up leaving the club at the end of this season – as a free agent. He had a number of injuries and contributed nothing, but will have 5 Bundesliga and one Champions League title in his resume. In 2018, Bayern brought in Leon Goretzka as a free agent, and he soon took Tolisso’s place. 03. Dayot Upamecano – 42.5 millionThe jury is still on the young Frenchman since he came to Bayern in 2021, just months before his Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann also came to Munich to replace Hansi Flick. 😎 Sadio Mane scored more league goals (16) than Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman combined (15) last season pic.twitter.com/bBRpYA7Kcg— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 27, 2022 02. Leroy Sane – 49 millionAfter four years with Manchester City, Sane was brought by Bayern in 2020, and if you compare his appearances with the likes of Coman or Gnabry, it’s hard to see why he has such a high price tag and wage. For example, Gnabry is in the contract dispute with the Bavarians, who won’t give him the wage near Sane’s even thou he played more games and scored 7 goals more than Leroy this year. The court said ‘no’ but they remained together and now Bayern defender will go to jail01. Lucas Hernandez – 80 million Atletico Madrid (like Lyon with Tolisso) made a fantastic peace of business when they sold their academy player for 80 million in 2019. For that price tag, Hernandez will have to do a lot to justify the money invested in him. He played in 96 games so far for the Bavarians, and has 3 Bundesliga and one Champions League title so far, but got much more attention with his arrest in 2017.
