By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich continues its excessive shopping tour as the 2020 treble winner is on its way to breaking the 2019 transfer record of 139.5 million euros this summer
Reports speak of the Bavarians eying Espanyol striker Raul de Tomas as a replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
According to Spanish media, the 27-year-old Spanish international might be available for around 40 million. Media talk of Bayern showing special interest. The deal would lift Bayern's investments this season near to 200 million euros.
Ahead of the German Super Cup duel against RB Leipzig this Saturday, the reigning German champions' activities rule headlines.
Next to established stars, sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic realized the transfer of 16-year-old Adam Aznou from Barca for three years including an option for a professional contract following the signing of 17-year-old French striker Mathys Tel until 2027.
Including bonus payments, Tel is the German national league's most expensive spending for a 17-year-old after Dortmund 2020 signed Jude Bellingham for 15 million.
The bonus payments of 8.5 million euros including the Tel transfer already lift Bayern's expenses over the 2019 line not to speak of the arrangements coming with the deals of Sadio Mane, Matthijs de Ligt, Ryan Gravenberch, and Noussair Mazraoui.
While Aznou and Tel are said to be investments into the future and stand for Bayern's new strategy to increase its talent-developing efforts on the club's campus, De Tomas will be part of the first squad right away.
Salihamidzic and chairman Oliver Kahn seem on the way to leaving their mark after the Bavarians over decades were run under the control of prominent figures such as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness.
In the era of the former German internationals, Bayern three times won the Champions League in 2001, 2013, and 2020.
Following the noisy transfer of Lewandowski and reports of in-house turmoil net to a mood drop, Bayern's new leaders are busy creating a rise in sentiment.
After returning from its US promotion tour, Bayern's new leaders surprised former Liverpool star Mane with a gigantic cake to celebrate his second-time award as Africa Footballer of the Year.
Having carried the cake adorned with spark-emitting candles into the team's lecture hall, Kahn praised Mane's achievement.
"Sadio, winning this title once is huge. But winning this title two times is historic and brave. You can be proud of that and we are proud of you," Kahn stated clapping the striker's shoulder.
Bayern leaders don't seem to see any limits as Kahn admitted the club board seriously considered a transfer of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
In the end, financial reasons only seemed to play a side role. "After long discussions, we decided Ronaldo isn't fitting our philosophy," Kahn said, adding: "He is one of the greatest ever." ■
