Monday 11 September 2017 17:48, UK
Robert Lewandowski has been slammed by Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after he questioned the club’s transfer policy.
Over the summer Bayern signed Corentina Tolisso from Lyon, Niklas Sule from Hoffenheim and Kingsley Coman on a permanent deal from Juventus, as well as James Rodriguez on loan from Real Madrid.
Lewandowski recently told Der Spiegel he wanted the Bavarians to compete for the best in the transfer market, with Paris Saint-Germain signing Neymar for £198m and Kylian Mbappe during the summer window, while Barcelona paid £97m plus add-ons for Ousmane Dembele.
The Polish striker said: "Bayern will have to come up with something and be creative if the club wants to keep bringing world-class players to Munich. And if you want to compete at the top, you need to have these quality players."
However, Rummenigge has taken exception to his remarks and slammed Lewandowski, whose agent said the player was "disappointed" over a perceived lack of support in his hunt for the golden boot last season.
"It would be a pity, if he actually saw it that way. Loyalty is part of Bayern's DNA and very important to our fans," Rummenigge told Bild.
"For a long time now we have a serious and successful philosophy that brought us big success. I stick with our chancellor who said the fees should be regulated and reduced.
"Obviously Robert was irritated by PSG's transfers. He is employed with us as a football player and earns a lot of money. I regret what he said.
"Whoever publicly criticises the club or his team-mates will get in trouble with me personally. He already made false claims last season following the Freiburg match, where he claimed he had not been supported enough.
"I don't think the player's might is that high. And Lewandowski can see that when he looks at his contract. He signed until 2021 without an exit clause.
"Regrettably his agent often is his 'Spiritus Rector' [guiding light]. That was the case here, too. The interview was consciously organised around Bayern. He harms Robert with that."
