Manchester United's world record bid for Thomas Muller was not considered by Bayern Munich, reveals CEO
Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed that English Premier League giants Manchester United had made a world-record bid for forward Thomas Muller last summer.
The Red Devils were heavily linked with a move for the German striker last summer, with former manager Louis van Gaal reported to be interested in bolstering the attack of the Old Trafford outfit.
However, any attempts by United to poach the free-scoring German were rebuffed by Bayern Munich and the Red Devils instead had to sign the then 19-year-old AS Monaco forward Anthony Martial for a fee in the region of £57.6 million on deadline day – a world record for the transfer of a teenager.
While Rummenigge admitted that the Bavarians had received a world-record bid for the 26-year-old, he reiterated that the Bayern hierarchy did not even discuss about the bid as Muller is an invaluable asset to the German champions.
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The 60-year-old also added that Muller is the hero of the fans, having been born near Munich before progressing through the ranks of Bayern Munich’s academy.
Speaking in an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, as quoted by Sky Sports, Rummenigge said: “We had a mad offer from Manchester United last year, which was not a topic for one second. We could have secured a world-record transfer fee.
"Thomas Muller came out of (the youth academy). (He is) born near Munich, formed here, the hero of the fans."
Thomas Muller has been at his prolific best for Bayern Munich this season, having scored 32 goals while also racking up 12 assists in the 49 games that he was involved in for the Allianz Arena outfit.
The German forward helped Bayern Munich do the domestic double this season, as they edged past Borussia Dortmund to claim their fourth successive domestic title, while also getting the better of the Signal Iduna Park outfit in the final of the DFB Pokal, winning on penalties after the game remained 1-1 after extra-time.