Bayern: We rejected huge bid for Muller

Thomas Muller: Bayern Munich rejected big bid this summer

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed they rejected an extremely lucrative offer for Thomas Muller this summer – saying they “couldn’t allow” the sale to go through.

Manchester United and Real Madrid were long linked with a move for the Germany forward, with reports suggesting the Red Devils were prepared to offer as much as £70million.

Rummenigge, however, has refused to disclose how much the bid was for, but admits selling the player, who has scored five goals in three Bundesliga matches this season, was never really an option for the Bundesliga champions.

“I’m talking about figures which were very high indeed,” said Rummenigge. “If I were a bank manager then I would have had to accept it.

“But as a football club we allowed ourselves to close the door on it, and this door is remaining closed. I can promise that to everybody.

“But one thing is for certain, in view of the increased television money in England things are not going to get any easier for Bayern in future.”

Despite being slightly envious of the television money flooding into the Premier League, Rummenigge has praised English clubs for the way they are being run, saying their potential success is not going to be down to money alone but rather how they have invested it.

“I’ve taken a look at Manchester City’s youth academy and all I can say is it doesn’t get any better than that,” Rummenigge told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.

“I have also visited Tottenham’s, Arsenal’s and Chelsea’s and it’s the same wherever you go.

“I can tell you that the English are going all out, also in terms of youth development.”