Bayern just average: ranking reveals transfer reality | OneFootball

Uli Hoeneß recently declared FC Bayern the "real winner" of the transfer summer. However, a current ranking from the Swiss institute CIES shows: In terms of transfer volume, the Munich club lags significantly behind the European competition.

The CIES Football Observatory evaluated the revenues and expenses of all major European clubs for the calendar year 2025 (winter and summer transfer windows, including bonus payments). The result is sobering for the German record champion: With a transfer volume of 226 million euros, Bayern ranks only 31st in Europe.

At first glance, Munich's balance sheet looks solid: 121.7 million euros in revenue compared to 104.3 million euros in expenses. This results in a surplus of 17.4 million euros. But therein lies the problem: The sums are at a level that is only mediocre by international standards.

For comparison: At the top of the ranking is FC Liverpool with a transfer volume of 754.8 million euros, closely followed by FC Chelsea (754.3 million euros) and Manchester City (556.3 million euros). Surprisingly strong is Bayer Leverkusen, which ranks fourth with 500 million euros.

Bayern with Transfer Surplus, but Bundesliga Rivals Overtake the Record Champion

Photo: IMAGO

Even more pressing for FC Bayern: In the Bundesliga, several rivals are ahead. RB Leipzig (410.2 million euros), Eintracht Frankfurt (305.9 million euros), and Borussia Dortmund (246.3 million euros) achieved higher transfer volumes in 2025. Even VfB Stuttgart (221.7 million euros) is only slightly behind Munich.

This reveals a clear pattern: While other German clubs aggressively use the transfer market to cleverly balance revenues and expenses, Bayern sticks to their philosophy of not wanting to be a "selling club."

Missed Connection in the Transfer Market

Photo: IMAGO

The ranking clearly shows that Bayern is trailing behind the modern mechanisms of the transfer business. While international top clubs are willing to sell their stars for high sums to finance new transfers with fresh capital, Munich remains cautious. Liverpool, for example, spent 499.6 million euros but simultaneously earned 255.2 million euros – a model that creates room for top deals.

For Bayern, however, this relative passivity means that big names are hardly affordable. Already in the summer of 2025, it was evident that players like Florian Wirtz or Nick Woltemade remained out of reach for Munich. Without corresponding revenues, there is simply a lack of flexibility for spectacular purchases.

The Bitter Truth for FCB

The sober numbers from CIES present a sobering picture against the confident statements of Uli Hoeneß. While the honorary president wants to sell the transfer summer as a success, the ranking shows: Neither in revenues nor in expenses does Bayern play in the top league.

For the record champion, it is a warning signal. Without adapting to modern transfer logic, the club risks permanently losing ground in the race for the biggest stars.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.