German media apologises to Harry Kane after critical verdict on 2023 Bayern transfer
Kane has delivered eye-catching return in Munich, prompting a grovelling apology from a German journalist who doubted Bayern's move for him.
A German journalist publicly apologised to England captain Harry Kane on Monday after criticising Bayern Munich's decision to pay about €100 million for him in 2023. Kane has been nothing short of sensational since joining Bayern from Tottenham Hotspur, with 98 goals in 103 appearances and 29 assists through his time in Bavaria.
Alfred Draxler of Bild issued the apology after Kane's latest scoring burst, following a hat-trick in Bayern's 4-1 win over Hoffenheim on Saturday. Kane has eight goals in four Bundesliga appearances this term and also scored twice in midweek against Chelsea, prompting renewed scrutiny of the transfer that was once met with scepticism in Germany. The story was reported by the Daily Mail, which detailed Draxler's reflection on the €100 million fee and the forward's sustained level of fitness and discipline.
Kane's future at Bayern remains tied to a contract that runs through the 2026-27 season, with the club having added Nicolas Jackson on loan from Chelsea, an arrangement that includes an obligation to buy next summer as a potential long-term successor. Raphael Honigstein has suggested the loan is part of Bayern's plan to provide a gradual transition, ensuring a path for Jackson to fit into Bayern's attack once Kane's spell at the club winds down. It remains unclear whether Kane will see out his Bayern career or pursue opportunities elsewhere before the end of his deal.
In England, Kane sits second on the Premier League's all-time goals list with 213, needing 48 more to overtake all-time leader Alan Shearer. While Bayern and Kane have publicly framed the partnership as a success, talk of a reunion with English football has persisted in media and among observers who note Kane's age and the evolving needs of Bayern's squad. Kane himself has acknowledged in interviews that the future could include changes; in a recent talkSPORT conversation, he said that people in Germany do not necessarily expect him to finish his career at Bayern, underscoring the practical reality that players and clubs must plan for evolving circumstances as contracts and performances unfold.