Bayern Munich's former chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed how the German champions missed out on signing Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue, attributing the failed moves to kit deals and personal preference. The two players, who now feature for Paris Saint-Germain, will face Bayern in the Champions League semi-finals this week, highlighting the paths not taken.
Rummenigge, who was CEO at the time of the initial pursuit, explained that Bayern showed serious interest in Dembele in 2016 when the winger was at Stade Rennes. According to his interview with t-online, the club's then-sporting director Michael Reschke was particularly keen on the deal. However, Borussia Dortmund secured the transfer, a move Rummenigge linked to commercial alliances. "The club owners also owned Puma. Dortmund had a Puma kit deal, so they had an advantage. As an Adias club, we were not preferred," Rummenigge said.
Dembele's subsequent career saw him move from Dortmund to Barcelona for a fee exceeding €100 million in 2017, before joining PSG in 2023. The French international, who won the 2025 Ballon d'Or, has often been cited as a player of immense talent who requires careful management. "He was a great talent, but as seen, he quickly left Dortmund for Barcelona," Rummenigge noted. "There's no question he is a very good player, but he is also someone who needs guidance."
Nearly a decade later, Bayern found themselves in a similar situation with another Rennes prodigy. In 2024, the Bavarians attempted to sign the highly-rated attacking midfielder Desire Doue, but he opted to join PSG instead. Rummenigge indicated that non-sporting factors again played a decisive role. "We would have liked to sign him – he would have suited us very well," he said. "But he chose Paris because he wanted to stay in his French homeland."
These admissions come at a time when the financial and competitive landscape of European football is shifting, with state-backed clubs and Premier League sides often able to offer higher wages. Rummenigge acknowledged this new reality, stating that Bayern must accept losing out on targets for financial reasons. "In the future, we will also miss out on players because more money may be paid elsewhere. You have to accept that, as it's part of the business," he said, while adding that both clubs have thrived regardless.
The timing of these revelations, ahead of a crucial European tie, underscores the ongoing strategic battles between Europe's elite clubs off the pitch. While Bayern's recruitment has remained largely successful, these anecdotes illustrate how even the most powerful clubs can be thwarted by external factors beyond pure sporting merit. For PSG, the signings of both Dembele and Doue represent successful long-term planning, securing players once coveted by a direct rival.
