Market for transfers - Bayern's sports director identifies "Raffzahn" as a significant setback.
Sports Director of Bayern, Max Eberl, is monitoring the global transfer market with growing apprehension. "It's like we're becoming more and more shark-like; however, the sharks will eventually become the nails of football," expressed Eberl. "As the funds run dry, there won't be anything left to sustain us."
The talked-about case of Neymar's record transfer from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017/18 for 222 million euros was followed recently by the controverted transfer of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid this summer, without a formal release from PSG. The rumored cost comes to 150 million euros.
"The sums are getting out of hand," mentioned Eberl. "One has the impression that it'll just explode soon. So, at some point, it's simply too much, and then Saudi Arabia steps in." Eberl, who's 50 years old, commented cautiously, "It doesn't feel comfortable. But that's today's market, unfortunately."
Bayern's priciest transfer was Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur for around 100 million euros in transfer fees last year. "I won't be lauded if we end up in fifth place, but we've considerably augmented our bank account with that amount. We're simply attempting to strike a balance between the two," said Eberl and comments further on the transfer market universe. "I can't say for certain if we've reached the limit."
Transactions like the Mbappé one would decrease funding in the market. "The money is leaving the market. No club profits from it. Players, families, agents, everyone reaps the rewards, but no club does," cautioned Eberl. "In the past, at least clubs profited. The money remained in the cycle, but that's becoming less frequent."
Eberl and his dilemma
Eberl declared, "I don't wish to be part of the monstrous figures, but I still want to be successful." In an event titled "The Future of Football" by "Sueddeutsche Zeitung" and "Stadion der Träume München" as part of the cultural program for the EM 2024, Eberl opened up about his predicament as a sports director. "I'm stuck in a paradox as a sports director."
