Ligue 1: I would prefer having the Allianz Arena over Neymar, says Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the German champions would never spend anywhere near the €222 million that PSG paid for Neymar this month, saying he would prefer a stadium with that money.

Berlin: Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the German champions would never spend anywhere near the €222 million that Paris Saint-Germain paid for Brazilian forward Neymar this month, saying he would prefer a stadium with that money.
Rummenigge, who also heads the European Club Association (ECA), said more "rationality" was required as transfer costs spiralled out of control.

PSG's new signing Neymar was unveiled at the Parc de Princes Stadium on Saturday. Image courtesy: Twitter @PSG_Inside
"During the Neymar transfer I asked myself the question what would be more important: Neymar or the Allianz Arena," Rummenigge told Sport Bild magazine on Wednesday.
"I have to say clearly that I prefer having the Allianz Arena which is also more important. We as Bayern Munich must have a different philosophy," Rummenigge said. "Overall the Neymar transfer could cost even more than the arena."
Bayern took out a 346 million euro loan in 2005 to build its new stadium on the outskirts of the city and paid off the 25-year loan 16 years early in 2014.
Bayern's own transfer record was set in June when the Bavarians paid €41.5 million to sign France international Corentin Tolisso.
"We do not want to do this and we cannot do this (spending like PSG). And that is fine. That is also seen as the right way by the public and our fans," Rummenigge said.
The French club paid the record fee earlier this month to lure the talented 25-year-old Neymar from Barcelona.
The transfer doubles the previous world record fee paid when Paul Pogba moved last August from Juventus to Manchester United for a €105 million.
"FIFA, UEFA, the ECA, leagues and the players union FIFPro should discuss this," Rummenigge said.
"I think we should all sit at the table, that would be my proposal. We could find more rational rules for football as a whole. Otherwise, the public will not understand it anymore, fans will lose their connection."
also read

FIFA World Cup 2026 will consist 12 groups of four teams, record 104 matches
The next FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the first to feature 48 teams, a sharp increase from the 32 sides at last year's tournament in Qatar.

Explained: The new FIFA World Cup 2026 format and why it was changed
FIFA World Cup 2026 will take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be the first to feature 48 teams.

Bayern Munich hire Thomas Tuchel as coach after parting ways with Julian Nagelsmann
Tuchel, who has been without a job since getting sacked by Chelsea in September, takes over from Julian Nagelsmann with a contract that is set to run till the end of the 2024-25 season.