Hasan Salihamidzic has lifted the lid on Bayern Munich's pursuit of Harry Kane, exposing how the club's search for a world-class striker led them to consider several elite alternatives before ultimately securing the England captain from Tottenham for €95 million in 2023.
When Bayern's former sporting director learned that Robert Lewandowski would depart in summer 2022, the Munich hierarchy immediately identified Kane as their ideal successor. "He had to be the one, because he really has qualities that hardly anyone else possesses," Salihamidzic told Sport1's *Doppelpass*. Kane's proven pedigree as a consistent goal-scorer made him the priority, but Tottenham's refusal to negotiate in 2022 forced Bayern to pivot elsewhere.
The Alternatives That Got Away
Bayern's contingency planning revealed the calibre of targets they considered. Kylian Mbappé, then at Paris Saint-Germain, was "completely out of the question financially," according to Salihamidzic, while Erling Haaland represented another elite option. The Norwegian, fresh from his explosive campaign at Borussia Dortmund, was monitored closely by the German champions. However, Haaland chose Manchester City in summer 2022, leaving the door open for Kane to remain Bayern's top target heading into 2023.
That commitment paid dividends. After meetings with Kane's family in London during April 2023, Bayern completed one of football's marquee transfers. Since arriving, Kane has delivered exceptional value—netting 146 goals in three seasons while establishing himself as Europe's most consistently dangerous finisher. The 32-year-old's performances have vindicated the €95 million investment and positioned him among Ballon d'Or contenders.
Kane's recent hat-trick in Bayern's 3-0 DFB-Pokal final demolition of Stuttgart underscored his elite status, though contract extension discussions remain fluid. With his current deal running until 2027, Bayern hopes to convince their talisman to extend, but Kane's cautious stance signals he intends to maximise his final years at the elite level.
