Bayern Munich's Hoeness blasts summer transfer sums as insane

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness expressed shock at recent transactions in the international transfer market, calling the record sums paid in the summer window insane.

"I was speechless at what has happened in the last six to eight weeks in international football," the 73-year-old told an event of the German Football League (DFL) in Berlin on Tuesday.

Hoeness called the amount of money that changed hands "completely crazy," adding: "At some point, the public will say: 'Are they completely out of their minds?'"

Bayern Munich recently failed in their attempts to sign Germany's Florian Wirtz, who joined Liverpool, and Nick Woltemade, now at Newcastle United, due to the financial power of the Premier League.

Clubs in England's top league spent £3 billion ($4 billion) on new signings during the summer window, surpassing the previous record of £2.36 billion spent in 2023.

Hoeness said Germany's Bundesliga must chart its own path and take a leadership role.

"We must show strength and not take money from Arabs or American hedge funds," he said, adding that Bundesliga clubs should not feel like they should accept such funding.

Regarding Bayern Munich, Hoeness predicted a challenging European campaign. "I'm looking forward to the upcoming season because we will go into the Champions League like Hoffenheim. We are not on anyone's radar," he said.

The DFL awarded Hoeness an honorary prize for his services to German professional football.