A German journalist has performed a dramatic U-turn on Harry Kane, publicly apologising to the England captain after previously questioning Bayern Munich’s decision to spend £95million on him in 2023.
Kane has been nothing short of extraordinary since swapping north London for Bavaria.
The 32-year-old striker has scored an astonishing 98 goals in just 103 appearances for Bayern and contributed a further 29 assists, quickly silencing any doubts about his ability to thrive outside the Premier League.
When Bayern broke the Bundesliga transfer record to prise him away from Tottenham, many in Germany argued the club had overpaid for a striker who had never lifted a major trophy.
Among the critics was BILD’s Alfred Draxler, who has now issued a tongue-in-cheek apology after Kane netted a hat-trick in Bayern’s emphatic 4-1 win over Hoffenheim at the weekend – his eighth goal in just four league games this season.
“I was one of those who viewed the €100m transfer from Tottenham to Bayern Munich in 2023 rather critically,” Draxler wrote.
“I thought: too much money for a then 30-year-old who had never won a title. There are cheaper options. Niclas Füllkrug, for example, had scored 16 goals for Werder Bremen the previous season.
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A German journalist has performed a dramatic U-turn on Harry Kane, publicly apologising to the England captain after previously questioning Bayern Munich’s decision to spend £95million on him in 2023
|REUTERS
“But Kane has proved me wrong. He’s never injured! That’s not just luck – it shows incredible discipline and hard training.
"If I ever meet him, I’d get up really early and put a towel on his lounger for him. I wouldn’t do that for any English person!”
Kane, who still has two years left on his Bayern contract, has been central to the club’s domestic dominance since arriving.
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Harry Kane is playing at the peak of his powers for Bayern Munich this season
|REUTERS
The German champions are believed to be considering offering him an extension beyond 2027, though there is also a growing sense that he may not finish his career in Munich.
Raphael Honigstein told talkSPORT that Bayern have already begun succession planning, with Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson joining on loan with an obligation to buy next summer.
“It’s no big secret that people in Germany don’t expect Harry Kane to see out his career at Bayern,” Honigstein said.
“I think Bayern are braced for the possibility that he will leave slightly earlier than his contract, which runs until 2027.
“They were pushing for somebody who can both be a backup and an understudy for Kane. They looked at Benjamin Šeško, they looked at Nick Woltemade – they ended up with Jackson, who will eventually be his successor.
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Harry Kane has scored 98 goals for Bayern Munich since joining from Tottenham two years ago
| PA"But there is absolutely no chance that Jackson will displace Kane. For now, he will simply provide cover, play alongside him or give him the odd rest.”
Kane remains just 48 goals shy of Alan Shearer’s all-time Premier League record of 260 – a milestone that could tempt him back to England before the end of his career.
For now, though, Bayern appear determined to maximise his extraordinary scoring run as they chase more domestic and European silverware.
Kane is expected to start when Vincent Kompany's side face Werder Bremen on Friday, where they'll aim to continue their 100 per cent start to the new season.