Last summer, FC Bayern was apparently willing to dig deep into its pockets for a talented English forward. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, the Munich club was prepared to pay around 70 million euros for Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool FC. The 18-year-old was considered a highly promising candidate for the German record champions’ offense. Ultimately, however, the transfer fell through due to resistance from the Reds.
It was already known that Bayern had been closely monitoring Ngumoha. As early as June, reports surfaced about far-advanced talks between the record champions and the young English player. Now, for the first time, a specific figure has been cited that the Munich club is said to have budgeted for the transfer.
The reported 70 million euros underscores just how convinced Bayern’s management apparently was of the young winger’s potential. For a player who was only 17 at the time, that would have been an exceptionally high investment.
Bayern had already reached an agreement with Ngumoha
As early as the beginning of June, Sky had revealed just how far along the Munich club actually was with Ngumoha. According to the report, Bayern and the player’s side had already reached a basic agreement on a transfer by the end of May. A five-year contract was on the table. The financial terms, including salary and bonus payments, were also reportedly already negotiated.
Particularly noteworthy: Vincent Kompany had personally advocated for the transfer. The Bayern coach reportedly spoke with Ngumoha by phone and clearly expressed his support for signing him internally.
In addition, several meetings took place between officials from the record-holding champions and the player’s advisors. Even Ngumoha’s brother had traveled to Munich for talks.
Despite this progress, the transfer did not materialize. Liverpool made it clear early on that they did not want to sell the talented forward. According to Sky reports, official negotiations between the two clubs were therefore never even initiated.
After Ngumoha turned them down, Bayern signed Saibari
The Telegraph now reports that the Munich club would have been willing to spend the equivalent of around 70 million euros on Ngumoha this summer.
After Liverpool ruled out a sale, Bayern looked elsewhere in the transfer market.
Ultimately, the German record champions signed Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven. It is reported that around 50 million euros were paid for the Moroccan attacking player.
This new information shows just how intensely Bayern Munich had been searching for reinforcements for their offense last summer.
In particular, the reported willingness to invest 70 million euros in Ngumoha is noteworthy. It illustrates the development potential the Munich club apparently saw in the Liverpool talent.
In the end, however, the Englishman remained at Anfield Road, while Bayern bolstered their squad with Saibari.