Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness has taken aim at Newcastle over their transfer spending, accusing the Magpies of playing 'Monopoly' in the summer market. He also declared the window a triumph for the German giants despite missing out on Florian Wirtz. The latter joined Liverpool in a deal potentially worth £116million after Bayern and Real Madrid had shown interest earlier in the summer.
Wirtz had been turning heads with his performances for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Last season, he scored 16 goals and provided 15 assists in all competitions. While Hoeness confessed that Bayern were fans of the 22-year-old, he conceded they were outpriced by Liverpool's financial muscle.
"We're very satisfied at FC Bayern," Hoeness told German media. "We are the real winners of the summer transfer window. We have a strong team and didn't need to strengthen it much. Of course, we would have liked to have Florian Wirtz, but we'd never have bought him for €150m (£130m)."
Liverpool weren't the only ones to outbid Bayern for a summer target. Wirtz's fellow Germany international Nick Woltemade ended up at Newcastle despite earlier suggestions he would move to the Allianz Arena, and Hoeness took aim at the Magpies after they blew the Bavarians out of the water.
"We offered €55m (£47.7m) for Nick Woltemade, while Stuttgart wanted €75m (£65m," he said.
"In the end, he went to Newcastle for €90m (£78m). What Newcastle are doing has nothing to do with football. It's like Monopoly these days."
Despite missing out on Wirtz, Bayern Munich bolstered their squad with several senior signings during the summer transfer window. Luis Diaz and Jonathan Tah were signed on permanent deals, while Nicolas Jackson was brought in on loan from Chelsea.
Vincent Kompany's team splashed out approximately £75m on both permanent and loan agreements, whilst recouping a similar amount through player sales. Mathys Tel made his move to Tottenham Hotspur permanent after a loan spell, while Kingsley Coman's transfer to Al-Nassr was another notable departure.
Since his summer transfer, Wirtz has featured in all three of Liverpool's league matches but is yet to score or assist. However, he is relishing the freedom granted to him by manager Arne Slot.
"I came here to play my best football and because I thought I could fit into this team," he stated ahead of the new season.
"I'm really enjoying my first few weeks. I'm enjoying playing with these players. It's getting a little bit better every time and I'm happy about how it's going.
"I think I'm a player who needs freedom on the pitch, and the manager gives it to me. Of course, I have to respect the position I'm in and the players around me, but I try to give my best on the pitch and find the right places, and I have the freedom for this here."
For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.