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Bayern Munich chief, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, has taken a swipe at Liverpool and Newcastle's summer business for Bundesliga stars in a bitter attack.
The Reds snatched Florian Wirtz for £116million despite Bayern's interest and the German giants were also beaten to £65m Nick Woltemade by Eddie Howe's side.
Rummenigge, who was formerly the CEO at Bayern and is now on their advisory board, pulled no punches in discussing both moves.
'I have to honestly say, I still feel sorry for Florian Wirtz because I think the player would be better off at Bayern Munich than at Liverpool,' the 69-year-old told Welt.
'We could have signed Woltemade,' he added. 'But I also have to say: FC Bayern would be well advised not to go along with every financial madness.'
Despite Rummenigge describing the Woltemade finances as 'madness', Bayern signed 28-year-old Luis Diaz from Liverpool in the summer for the same fee.
Nick Woltemade (left) with Eddie Howe and Florian Wirtz (right with Arne Slot, opted not to join Bayern Munich
Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge took a swipe at Wirtz and Woltemade's moves to the Premier League
But the ex-Germany star went on: 'I've always said: We want sporting success, but please with serious and solid financing. We have a top team.
'We'll be back this year as well. And if the three currently injured players (Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito) come back soon, then we'll have a superb team.'
Wirtz had been widely expected to go to Bayern in the summer after emerging as the jewel in Bayer Leverkusen and Germany's crown in recent seasons.
But he snubbed the biggest side in Germany, despite meeting Vincent Kompany, opting to join the Premier League champions instead.
Rummenigge did not expand on why he feels Bayern would have been the more suitable destination for Wirtz but given the club's failure to persuade him to join, after loud overtures in the German media, his words come across as sour grapes.
It has been an underwhelming start for Wirtz at Anfield and he's yet to register a goal or assist in the Premier League or Champions League.
Perhaps that is the basis for Rumenigge saying he 'feels sorry' for the 22-year-old. But the player himself is adamant his luck will turn and the production numbers will rack up soon enough.
He earlier told Sky Germany: 'Yes, of course I would have liked to have scored a goal or collected a few points. But no matter what anyone says, I'm staying cool.
Rummenigge said he feels sorry for Wirtz after the German star chose to join Liverpool
Woltemade scored on his debut for Newcastle but his fee was described as 'madness'
'I don't want to constantly hear "give it time, give it time." Instead, I simply try to do it better each time than before.
'Sometimes there are just phases where things aren't going well for you. I haven't had that very often in my career.
'Once I get through it—that might be harsh, because I'm not playing badly, I just haven't got the points (goals and assists) yet — it will come at some point, and then everything will be fine.
'It’s no secret that I’d like to have more so far, but I’m patient, and as I just said, I know full well that I can play good football. Sooner or later, I’m sure that things will return to normal.'
As for Woltemade, Bayern wanted to sign him as a back-up to Harry Kane but the 6ft 6in forward chose Newcastle and is Alexander Isak's replacement.
The 23-year-old scored on his debut at St James' Park and Bayern ended up signing Nicolas Jackson on loan from Chelsea.
Rummenigge was regarded as one of the best attacking players of his generation in a playing career between 1974-89 for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
He scored 45 in 95 games for West Germany before retiring and moving into the boardroom, initially as Bayern vice-chairman and then CEO. He's been on the supervisory board since 2023.
