According to Spanish press, Bayern Munich was very close to transferring Lamine Yamal and Gavi, the gems of La Masia academy.

Initially, Bayern Munich were just testing Barcelona's reaction. Then came a serious effort when officials at the Allianz Arena rated Lamine Yamal and Gavi very highly.

EFE - Lamine Yamal.jpg
Bayern regrets missing out on Yamal for only 5 million euros. Photo: EFE

Marca revealed that the story began in 2022, when Hasan Salihamidzic and Marco Neppe, Bayern's sports chiefs, held a meeting with Yamal's then representatives.

The initial focus revolved around Gavi, but Yamal soon became the center of the negotiations.

Bayern officials want to meet Yamal's parents to build trust, as well as present the project they want to develop with the young Catalan.

At that time, Lamine Yamal's release clause or valuation was around 5 million euros – a figure too small compared to the potential that was revealed.

The agent at the time promised to pass on the offer to the family. Bayern representatives returned to Munich confident that they had taken an important step.

However, not long after, everything changed completely. Yamal changed his agent, and Bayern were forced to approach again through Jorge Mendes. At this point, the situation was much more complicated.

Lamine's first-team debut by Xavi Hernandez changed everything. He was just 15 at the time, not even eligible to sign a professional contract.

Barcelona rushed to find a way to keep Yamal, with commitments to a new contract in the future with Mendes - when Lamine turns 16 and 18 years old.

Jorge Mendes agreed. The Portuguese super-agent blocked all Bayern's efforts. Yamal exploded spectacularly, becoming the most valuable player in the world when he was just 18 years old - valued by Transfermarkt at 200 million euros.

For Bayern Munich, recruiting Lamine Yamal has now become an impossible mission.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bayern-munich-tiec-hui-hui-vi-hut-lamine-yamal-gia-5-trieu-euro-2441520.html