Müller: There were offers to leave Bayern
February 19, 2016
In an interview with the Abendzeitung newspaper published Friday, Bayern Munich forward Thomas Müller said he had indeed recieved offers from abroad, but ultimately decided against them.
"Yeah, there were offers," he said. "But when you look at it from a football point of view, [Bayern Munich] are in the top three in Europe with Barcelona and Real Madrid. Sure, the English clubs are financially powerful, but we don't know yet if they can return to the top in Europe. From a sporting perspective, it was simple to extend [my contract] here."
Müller signed a contract extension with Bayern in December, keeping him at the club until June 2019.
The Premier League's infatuation with Thomas Müller has been no secret. At the close of the most recent summer transfer window, Bayern Munich President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the club had received an offer for the German international that was "very high." German media speculated Manchester United had offered in the region of 100 million euros. Before his sacking as Chelsea Manager, Jose Mourinho was rumoured to be after Müller as a winter replacement for the inconsistent Diego Costa.
In the press, Bayern have remained consistent about their refusal to sell Müller. The club's Sporting Director Matthias Sammer told Sport Bild last summer that "Rummenigge was right when he said he is a player who does not have price tag."
Müller was also asked whether current Bayern coach Pep Guardiola has been distracted by his impending summer move to English club Manchester City.
"Not at all," said Müller. "It's more the case that he is being especially meticulous."
dr/sb (dpa, AFP, Reuters)