Sport Bild’s Christian Falk goes inside the tale of how Bayern Munich almost landed Erling Haaland

In 2021, Bayern Munich nearly secured a shock transfer for Erling Haaland, then at Borussia Dortmund. The pursuit advanced to the point where Haaland visited the home of Bayern's sporting director, Hasan Salihamidžić, shortly after Dortmund's 4–2 loss to Bayern.

According to journalist Christian Falk's book "Transfer Insider," Salihamidžić contacted Haaland's agent Mino Raiola on March 7, 2021. Dortmund was aware Haaland would not fulfill his contract, which included a €60 million release clause. Raiola arranged for Haaland to meet Salihamidžić at his Munich home, where Haaland broke the ice with a lighthearted comment about the house.

Bayern's management presented a detailed plan to build the team around Haaland, assuring him he was their future cornerstone and promising unprecedented financial commitment. Haaland was impressed, and Raiola later informed Salihamidžić that the player was convinced, but negotiations turned to financial terms.

Bayern prepared an offer, and Raiola flew to Munich for talks. Although Bayern couldn't match Premier League salaries, they proposed a generous share of any future record sale for Haaland and his father. However, Raiola was simultaneously exploring offers across Europe.

Ultimately, Raiola informed Bayern the transfer would not happen, citing financial outbidding by other clubs—later revealed to be Manchester City. Despite having the strongest sporting appeal, Bayern's financial terms fell short.

The revelation suggests Bayern could potentially target Haaland as a successor to Harry Kane in 2026 if they commit to a massive bid and salary, offering a new lifeline for #Project2026.