Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer expects a significant decrease in transfer fees following the coronavirus pandemic.
Deals worth in excess of €100 million have been commonplace in the past four years, with Neymar becoming the world’s most expensive player when he joined Paris Saint-Germain for €222m (£200m/$264m) in August 2017.
Bayern have been more conservative but broke their transfer record by splashing out €80m (£68m/$90m) on Lucas Hernandez last year.
Asked about the potential impact of the coronavirus crisis on transfer fees, Hainer told Bayern’s 51 magazine:
“As I said, although serious predictions are difficult to make, it’s obvious there’ll be changes. I agree with Uli Hoeness’ assumption that transfer fees will decrease. That’s just logical.
“When income decreases, there’s less money in circulation. And given the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis on people’s everyday lives, outrageous sums in the millions are even less justifiable than they already were.
“My hope is that more common sense will be applied here as well. I have to take my hat off to Hasan Salihamidzic and our sporting leadership. They’re handling the coronavirus situation very well.”
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