Is Harry Kane now Europe’s highest-paid player at Bayern Munich? Why there is reason to doubt it

Harry Kane is said to have signed the most lucrative contract in Bayern Munich's history and become Europe's highest-paid player. But how much will he earn? We examine how estimates of footballers' extraordinary salaries are calculated.

Harry Kane is said to have become Europe's highest-paid player by basic salary after extending his Bayern Munich contract until 2029. The club's record signing, who joined from Tottenham Hotspur for €95 million in 2023, is also said to have agreed the biggest deal in Bayern Munich's history.

David Ornstein of The Athletic reports the claim. He is known for his excellent connections rather than sensationalism. The similarly reputable kicker reports that Kane will receive an "exorbitantly high annual salary" from the German record champions.

Speaking at a press conference after Kane signed, Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said the club had had to "stretch" financially to secure the extension, though they had not had to "stretch to the ceiling". "This is, of course, a big contract for a big player. It is appropriate," Dreesen said. Kane had "shown over the past three years that he was worth every cent, and that is how we see it going forward too."

Who has been regarded as Europe's highest-paid player until now?

How high is Kane's annual salary? How much is Bayern Munich said to be paying the 33-year-old Ballon d'Or winner? Around "€30 million", as kicker speculates, or even a little more? Like almost all football clubs, Bayern Munich do not disclose payments to players. But the available figures offer a basis for an estimate.

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Former Dortmund player Erling Haaland has until now been regarded as Europe's highest-paid player. According to Capology, the Manchester City striker has earned a basic weekly salary of £525,000, or €621,000, since signing a nine-year contract extension in 2025 that runs until 2034. That comes to £27.3 million or €32.2 million a year.

How much is Erling Haaland said to earn at Manchester City?

Capology is an online database that says it compiles footballers' salaries worldwide from media reports, inside information and official statements. It is the most comprehensive global platform for comparing footballers' salaries, though its figures do not necessarily reflect reality. Capology says its salary estimates for its client samples generally fall within 15 per cent of the actual figure.

English media reports give similar figures. The Sun, often well informed but prone to sensationalism, put Haaland's basic weekly salary, excluding bonuses, at £525,000. The reputable and normally well-informed The Guardian and The Times put his basic gross weekly salary more cautiously at around £500,000. On that estimate, Haaland earns £26 million or €31.17 million a year in basic salary.

Another indication comes from the Sunday Times Tax List, which lists celebrities' tax payments each year. It placed Haaland among England's biggest taxpayers last year, with a total tax bill of £17 million (€20.38 million). Alongside income tax, the list accounts for taxes on dividends and capital gains, as well as corporation tax.

The Sunday Times Tax List also relies on estimates. English journalist Robert Watts has curated it for years, and it is considered as reputable as the Forbes list of the world's richest people. Virtually all news media in England cite it regularly. Watts likewise puts Haaland's annual basic salary at £26 million (€31.17 million).

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Harry Kane was not even Bayern Munich's top earner until now

Does that mean Kane now earns more than a guaranteed €31 million at Bayern Munich?

The figure is hard to imagine, even by football's standards. Yet it looks small next to what the world's highest-paid player is said to receive: Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly earns a basic salary of €208 million at Al-Nassr. Saudi petro-dollars are in another league.

On Kane's new deal, Sky transfer expert Florian Plettenberg is more cautious. He writes that the striker will earn "at least €25 million" in future.

That would not be much more than Kane earns now: reports have consistently put his basic salary at €25 million.

One reason to expect a substantial pay rise is that Kane was not even Bayern Munich's top earner overall. Jamal Musiala is said to have held that distinction, at least once bonuses are included, following his contract extension in February 2025. Musiala has reportedly earned an annual basic salary of €22.5 million since then, less than Kane's previous basic salary. With bonuses, though, Musiala is said to have received €35.2 million most recently.

According to Capology, only Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Haaland and Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) are said to have earned more than Musiala in Europe. Musiala has until now ranked seventh worldwide. As for Kane, Capology puts his earnings at €31.2 million, which would make him the world's 12th most expensive player.

If any player deserves to be Bayern Munich's top earner, it is Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane.

If Harry Kane earns that much, how much will Michael Olise be able to demand from Bayern Munich?

Bayern Munich are still caught in an immense wage spiral. The German record champions have wanted to reduce their wage bill for years. The supervisory board has previously criticised sporting director Max Eberl over it, and his contract extension was long in doubt, partly because of his alleged, or perceived, weakness in negotiations.

There is a case for raising the salary of a world-class footballer such as Kane. At the press conference, Dreesen spoke of the "incredibly increased attention" Bayern Munich had received around Kane's Ballon d'Or win. That attention also helps in negotiations with sponsors and potential partners.

Still, Kane is 33, and Bayern have already agreed to his wish for an extension of more than a year. Players over 30 normally receive only one-year extensions. Older players, like very young ones, tend instead to get contracts more closely tied to performance, with higher but achievable bonus payments.

If Kane really is set to earn more than €31 million, how much can Michael Olise demand in the contract extension talks coming up soon? Top clubs are also watching Olise closely, and he is rated similarly highly to Kane on sporting merit. Yet Capology says his current basic salary is a comparatively modest €13.5 million. Another record contract could follow soon.

Europe's top 10 highest-paid players, according to Capology

Source: Capology