Bayern Munich board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has launched a stinging attack on Newcastle's transfer business, while insisting that Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz made the wrong choice in moving to Merseyside this summer.
The former Bayern CEO told Welt he "still feels sorry" for the 22-year-old after his £116million move to Anfield.
"I have to honestly say, I still feel sorry for Florian Wirtz because I think the player would be better off at Bayern Munich than at Liverpool," Rummenigge revealed.
The comments come after Bayern lost out to Liverpool in the race for Wirtz's signature, despite the Bundesliga giants making their interest very public.
Bayern Munich board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted that Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz made the wrong choice in moving to Merseyside this summer
|REUTERS
The German giants could not justify the record-breaking fee required to prise Wirtz's services away from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
And Rummenigge didn't stop there, turning his attention to Newcastle's £65million capture of striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart.
"We could have signed Woltemade," he admitted. "But I also have to say: FC Bayern would be well advised not to go along with every financial madness."
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Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also claimed they could have signed Nick Woltemade, who instead joined Newcastle this summer
|GETTY
The 69-year-old defended Bayern's decision to walk away from both deals, despite their public pursuit of the players.
"I've always said: We want sporting success, but, please, with serious and solid financing. We have a top team.
"We'll be back this year as well. And if the three currently injured players come back soon, then we'll have a superb team."
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It is worth noting that Bayern themselves spent £65million on Luis Diaz from Liverpool this summer. Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson joined on an initial loan fee of £13million, while German defender Jonathan Tah joined from Bundesliga rivals Leverkusen.
However, Wirtz's start at Liverpool hasn't gone to plan, with the midfielder yet to score or provide an assist in six appearances across all competitions.
The German international has acknowledged his slow start, telling Sky Sports: "Yes, of course I would have liked to have scored a goal or collected a few points. But no matter what anyone says, I'm staying cool."
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Nick Woltemade joined the Tyneside club for a reported £65million this summer, a move that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called 'financial
|REUTERS
He added: "I don't want to constantly hear 'give it time, give it time.' Instead, I simply try to do it better each time than before."
However, the 22-year-old remains confident his fortunes will change: "Sooner or later, I'm sure that things will return to normal."
Bayern ended up missing out on both players after their very public interest, with Wirtz choosing Liverpool despite meeting Vincent Kompany and having talks with Bayern chiefs including Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness.
The Bundesliga champions signed Jackson on loan from Chelsea as their alternative to Woltemade, who scored on his Newcastle debut at St James' Park. The Senegalese, however, is yet to find the net after his first three appearances at the Allianz Arena.
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