How Thomas Tuchel ‘infected’ Bayern Munich in €100m Harry Kane transfer bid – with Bundesliga giants having to be talked into record deal for 44-goal striker

The Bundesliga giants found themselves in the market for a new No.9 during the summer window of 2023. England captain Kane was identified as a potential target, but the power brokers in Bavaria needed to be convinced that the 30-year-old frontman was the right option.

Tuchel, who lined up against Kane during his time as Chelsea boss, made it clear that Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer was the shrewdest recruit for Bayern. He hammered home that point so frequently that the club’s former sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, was left with no choice but to make a move.

Tuchel, who is poised to bow out as Bayern boss, has said when asked whether a lack of input in transfer activity contributed to his decision to walk away from the Allianz Arena: “It is not my understanding that I should hand over a piece of paper and say: ‘Now get me this player or I'll leave’. That wasn't the case in England either. It was always my intention to do my best for the team from a coaching perspective, always in the knowledge that there are also many other components, such as the financial ones. It is always an objective, goal-orientated exchange with the aim of improving the team. Of course, there can be different opinions. I have no reason to complain. I'm still proud today that we got Harry Kane. I was so adamant about Harry that I 'infected' Brazzo with the fire. I stayed firm in the transfer committee and did everything so we get him. That was never a problem and didn't play a role, neither in February nor now.”

Kane was a revelation for Bayern in his debut campaign, with 44 goals recorded across all competitions, but he has ended another season empty-handed. The expectation is that his bid to land elusive major silverware will resume as a Bayern player in 2024-25, despite speculation suggesting that he could beat a hasty retreat to the Premier League.