Bayern lost the deal of the century due to 5 million

Press reports indicated that Bayern Munich was close to concluding one of the most promising deals in world football, signing rising Spanish star Lamine Yamal for just €5 million in 2022, but the opportunity was lost at the last minute. According to German newspaper Bild, former Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was conducting direct negotiations with Yamal's agents and even succeeded in reaching a preliminary agreement that included relocating the young player's family to Germany once he turns 16. The negotiations also included the intention to include his Barcelona teammate, Gavi. However, sudden developments changed the course of the deal, as Jorge Mendes stepped in and took over Yamal's management, freezing the agreement with Bayern. At the same time, Barcelona gave the young player the opportunity to make his first-team debut at just 15 years old, a turning point that convinced him to stay. Bayern hesitated to pay the requested sum, wondering whether investing €5 million in a player who was only 15 years old was a wise decision. But this hesitation cost the club a golden opportunity. In 2023, Yamal signed a long-term contract with Barcelona until 2026, with a release clause of €1 billion, making him one of the world's most promising talents.