Bayern Munich are undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs in world football, but their monopoly over the German transfer market has been astonishing over the years.
The Bavarian club have not only signed some of the best young players in Europe, but they have also managed to rope in some of the key players from their rivals as well.
Here at Anytime football, we look at eleven such players who were snapped up from rival clubs and went on to make valuable contributions to the club’s history.
Manual Neuer
The German goalkeeper was signed from Schalke almost a decade ago, and he has managed to establish himself as the best keeper in world football. Not only did he help Bayern win several domestic honours, he helped his country win the World Cup as well.
Dayot Upamecano
The Frenchman is all set to join the German club at the end of this season after Bayern Munich paid out his €42 million for RB Leipzig release clause. The player has signed a five-year contract with Byron. Upamecano is one of the most sought after defenders in Europe, and he has a big future ahead of him.
Mats Hummels
The former Bayern Munich academy graduate rose to prominence with rivals Borussia Dortmund, but he returned to Bavaria eventually and won the League title in all three seasons with Bayern Munich.
Dante
The German giants signed the Brazilian for a fee of just €4.7 million in 2012, and he was a key member of the side that won the treble under Jupp Heynckes in his debut season with the club.
Benjamin Pavard
Bayern Munich signed the highly-rated young defender from VfB Stuttgart, after he won the World Cup with France. The German side paid €35 million for the versatile defender, who could go on to be a big part of the club’s future.
Joshua Kimmich
Kimmich was one of German football’s brightest prospects when Pep Guardiola decided to snap him up from RB Leipzig, and he has proven to be an indispensable asset for the German club so far. The youngster can operate in multiple roles across the midfield and defence.
Leon Goretzka
The powerful box to box midfielder joined Bayern Munich in 2018 from Schalke, and he has been a key member of the side ever since. His powerful presence in the middle of the park has been instrumental to the club’s success under Hansi Flick.
Mario Gotze
The German World Cup winner was signed right before Bayern Munich faced Borussia Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League final. Gotze was highly rated across Europe at the time, but he never quite managed to fulfil his potential with the Bavarian club.
Serge Gnabry
The Arsenal youngster struggled to make it at the English club, but he has been a revelation for Bayern Munich. The youngster has been a crucial part of Hansi Flick’s all-conquering team. The forward joined Bundesliga champions from Werder Bremen in 2017.
Robert Lewandowski
Probably the most incredible free transfer in the history of European football. Bayern Munich snapped him up as a free agent in 2014 from BVB, and the rest, as they say, is history. Robert Lewandowski has achieved 201 goals in just 217 Bundesliga appearances for the Bavarian club, and he has helped them win a multitude of trophies.
Mario Mandzukic
The Croatian was another low profile signing who went on to make a big impact at Bayern. He scored a goal in the Champions League final against Dortmund and helped Heynckes’ side lift the trophy in the end. He was signed from VfL Wolfsburg in 2012.
Robert Lewandowski is not leaving Bayern this summer. Karl Heinz Rummenigge confirmed to Bild: “Of course he's staying. Who sells a player that scores 60 goals a year? His agents has not asked to sell Lewandowski...”.
