The 10 most expensive Bayern Munich transfers of all time: Luis Diaz one of five Premier League deals

Joao Palhinha Harry Kane Michael Olise

Palhinha, Kane and Olise have all made big moves to Bayern in recent years

Bayern Munich are one of the biggest football clubs in the world and they have made some big-money transfers in recent years.

The Bavarians love to take players away from their domestic rivals but they have also agreed deals with clubs in Serie A, Ligue 1, La Liga and the Premier League.

We’ve taken a look at the 10 most expensive signings in Bayern’s history and how those players subsequently fared after completing the move.

Note: all transfer fees are inclusive of potential add-ons, although not all will have been fully activated.

10. Dayot Upamecano – €42.5m

From: RB Leipzig

Year: 2021

Bayern Munich appearances: 152

One of four defenders on this list, Upamecano joined Bayern in the summer of 2021 after they triggered the €42.5million release clause in his RB Leipzig contract.

The France international has since made over 150 appearances for the club and has also bagged three Bundesliga winners’ medals.

But he has shown himself to be error-prone, most notably in a disastrous display against Manchester City in the 2022/23 Champions League quarter-finals.

9. Kim Min-jae – €50m

From: Napoli

Year: 2023

Bayern Munich appearances: 79

Kim enjoyed an excellent debut season at Napoli in 2022/23, winning the Serie A title and being voted the best defender in Italy.

Bayern triggered the €50million release clause in his contract in 2023, but he initially struggled to replicate his Serie A form in the Bundesliga

“Personally, it wasn’t a satisfactory season and I have to improve next season,” the South Korea international admitted in 2024.

“When a season is over, you always spend time reflecting on things as a player. What did I do right, what was missing and what improvements are needed. When I make mistakes and show weaknesses, it’s even more important to learn from them. I will be much stronger next season.”

His gametime went on to increase in the 2024/25 campaign and he got a Bundesliga winners’ medal.

Harry Kane, Dayot Upamecano, Manuel Neuerand Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich celebrate
Harry Kane, Dayot Upamecano, Manuel Neuer and Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich

8. Joao Palhinha – €56m

From: Fulham

Year: 2024

Bayern Munich appearances: 25

After topping the tackling charts in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 Premier League seasons, Palhinha’s strengths were obvious.

Fulham faced a battle to keep hold of the Portugal midfielder and ultimately buckled when Bayern bid €51million for him in the summer of 2024. The deal also contained a further potential €5million in add-ons.

He was part of their title-winning side in 2024/25 but made only six starts in the Bundesliga amid fitness issues throughout the campaign.

The midfielder has now been linked with a return to the Premier League and Bayern will reportedly consider offers in the region of €25million.

7. Michael Olise – €59m

From: Crystal Palace

Year: 2024

Bayern Munich appearances: 55

Olise starred for Crystal Palace in the 2023/24 season and his form attracted interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Bayern Munich.

Bayern won the race for his signature after agreeing to pay Palace an initial €53million, although the fee could rise to €59million with add-ons.

The France international enjoyed a brilliant debut season in Germany, registering 20 goals and 23 assists in 55 appearances in all competitions.

His performances helped his side win the Bundesliga title, and he also picked up the Bayern Munich Player of the Year award for 2024/25.

6. Leroy Sane – €60m

From: Manchester City

Year: 2020

Bayern Munich appearances: 220

After four trophy-laden years at Manchester City, Sane returned to his native Germany in the summer of 2020 and joined Bayern in a deal worth an initial €49million and €11million in add-ons.

The winger went on to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet, winning four Bundesliga titles, two German Super Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

But he often struggled to find consistency in a Bayern shirt, registering 61 goals and 55 assists in 220 appearances in all competitions.

The Germany international left Bayern following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2024/25 season and joined Galatasaray on a free transfer.

5. Luis Diaz – €75m

From: Liverpool

Year: 2025

Bayern Munich appearances: N/A

Following Sane’s departure, Bayern approached Liverpool for Diaz but their opening bid of €67million was rejected by the Premier League side.

They returned with a second offer for the Colombia international and subsequently agreed a deal worth an initial €70million plus €5million in add-ons

“I’m very happy, it means a lot to me to be part of FC Bayern – they’re one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said after signing a four-year contract.

“I want to help my new team with my way of playing football and my character. My goal is to win every possible title, and that’s what we’ll work for every day as a team.”

4. Matthijs de Ligt – €77m

From: Juventus

Year: 2022

Bayern Munich appearances: 73

De Ligt left Juventus in the summer of 2022 and joined Bayern in a deal worth an initial €67million and another €10million in potential add-ons.

The centre-back won plenty of plaudits in 2022/23 and his impressive performances also earned him a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

But he fell out of favour under Thomas Tuchel in 2023/24 and Bayern sold the Netherlands international to Manchester United for around €50million.

3= Renato Sanches – €80m

From: Benfica

Year: 2016

Bayern Munich appearances: 53

Sanches enjoyed a brilliant breakthrough season in 2015/16, establishing himself as one of the most talented young players in the world.

Bayern fought off competition from Manchester United and agreed to pay the Portuguese side a total package worth €80million, which included a base fee of €35million and €45million in add-ons.

But the midfielder failed to live up to his potential in Munich, making just 53 appearances in all competitions before joining Lille on a permanent deal in 2019.

3= Lucas Hernandez – €80m

From: Atletico Madrid

Year: 2019

Bayern Munich appearances: 107

Bayern signed Hernandez in the summer of 2019 after triggering the €80million release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.

The defender won the Bundesliga in each of his four seasons at Bayern and also lifted the DFB-Pokal, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2020.

But his time at the club was plagued by a number of injury problems and Bayern made a €40million loss on the France international when they sold him to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

1. Harry Kane – €120m

From: Tottenham Hotspur

Year: 2023

Bayern Munich appearances: 96

After failing to replace Robert Lewandowski in 2022, Bayern identified Kane as their top transfer target in the summer of 2023.

They had three bids knocked back by Tottenham but eventually agreed to pay an initial €100million and another €20million in potential bonuses for the England international.

He enjoyed a great debut season on an individual level, registering 44 goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions in 2023/24.

However, his goals were ultimately in vain as Bayern finished third in the Bundesliga and had a trophyless season for the first time since 2011/12.

Kane finally got his hands on a trophy the following season, with his 38 goals in 46 games contributing to Bayern winning the Bundesliga. He finished as top scorer in the division for a second season running.

READ MORE: The EIGHT Bayern Munich players out of contract in 2026 and what their futures hold

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