Bayern must sell to afford more signings, Hoeness insists

Having paid a total of €127.5 million to sign Hiroki Ito, Michael Olise and Joao Palhinha, Bayern Munich have made an active start to the summer transfer window.

Bayern are said to be looking to strengthen further, with Xavi Simons and Jonathan Tah now said to be their top targets.

But not much has happened in terms of sales, and as supervisory board member and honorary president Uli Hoeness pointed out to reporters on Sunday, something has to happen on that front to finance further signings.

"No new players will come if no one goes first. [Max [Eberl] and [sporting director] Christoph Freund know very well that new players can only come to FC Bayern if a few prominent players leave," Hoeness said.

“If theoretically no one leaves, we have three more players. Money doesn't come out of anyone's ass at Bayern,” he added.

Two Bayern players who have been linked with moves away are Matthijs de Ligt and Dayot Upamecano. Asked about their futures, Hoeness said:

“It is possible that a defender will leave. De Ligt is Dutch, the manager of Manchester United is Dutch. I would have no problem with him staying. Personally, I wouldn't sell Upamecano.”