Ahead of Bayern Munich's Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, former chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed details of the club's past failed attempts to sign Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué. The Bavarian giants will face both players in Paris this week, having missed out on them in pivotal transfer battles years apart.
Rummenigge, speaking to t-online, confirmed Bayern's strong interest in Dembélé as far back as 2016, when the winger was emerging at Stade Rennes. According to Rummenigge, then-sporting director Michael Reschke was particularly keen on the move, but Borussia Dortmund secured his signature. The former CEO cited Dortmund's kit partnership with Puma as a decisive factor, given Rennes' ownership links to the sportswear brand, which put Bayern, an Adidas club, at a disadvantage.
Dembélé spent just one season at Dortmund before a €105 million move to Barcelona in 2017, where he developed into a Ballon d'Or contender before joining PSG in 2023. Rummenigge acknowledged the French international's quality but noted he is "someone who needs guidance." His comments underscore the fine margins in elite recruitment, where commercial alliances can influence sporting outcomes.
Eight years later, Bayern found themselves in a similar situation with another Rennes prodigy, Désiré Doué. The club attempted to sign the highly-rated midfielder in 2024, but he opted for a move to PSG. Rummenigge explained that Doué's desire to remain in France was the primary reason, a factor Bayern could not overcome despite believing the player "would have suited us very well." This admission highlights the growing challenge for German clubs in competing with the financial and geographical pull of Europe's richest teams.
The reflections come at a poignant moment, with Doué and Dembélé now key figures for a PSG side standing between Bayern and a Champions League final. Rummenigge struck a philosophical tone, accepting that losing out on targets is part of modern football. He pointed out that both clubs have thrived regardless, with Bayern building a squad capable of reaching the latter stages of the competition. Nevertheless, the missed opportunities serve as a reminder of the complex web of relationships, finances, and personal preferences that dictate the transfer market, even for a club of Bayern's stature.
