Lothar Matthaus has defended Bayern Munich ace Niklas Sule in his Sky Germany column, stating money did not sway the Newcastle United target’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
BVB announced last week that they have agreed a pre-contract with the centre-half ahead of a free move this summer. Sule will leave the Allianz Arena in June as a free agent with his FCB contract expiring at the end of the season after five trophy-laden years in Bavaria.
Sule cost Bayern €25m (£21m) when he moved to Munich from Hoffenheim in 2017 on a five-year deal. Since then, he has helped to four Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Pokals and the Champions League in 2019/20. He has also made 27 outings, starting 21, so far this term.
Newcastle were also in the market for Sule’s transfer before Borussia Dortmund swept to seal his exit from Bayern Munich. Bild journalist Christian Falk even reported in November the German was open to a move to St James’ Park following discussions with his agent.
However, Falk added Sule rejected a transfer to Newcastle during the January window and soon agreed a free transfer to Borussia Dortmund instead to finalise his Bayern farewell.
Matthaus defends Sule after Newcastle target seals Dortmund transfer
Bayern Munich had made attempts to stop Sule leaving amid Newcastle’s transfer interest and before Borussia Dortmund’s eventually successful swoop. TZ reported in November the runaway Bundesliga leaders were also willing to increase his salary to agree a new deal.
Sule earns €8m-a-year (£128k-a/w) at the Allianz Arena and could have earned €10m-a/y (£161k-a/w) by renewing. But Matthaus defends his decision to leave, and believes having more support around him was the defining factor in walking away from FCB for rivals BVB.
“Niklas always gave everything for this club. He is not a greedy player,” Matthaus wrote. “It’s different with Niklas, he wouldn’t have stayed for more money, either. He lacks the warmth and appreciation that every person needs from their employer.
“Especially in the difficult times, he lacked a protective hand and someone who would publicly stand in front of him when things didn’t go well. I can remember statements by Uli Hoeness, who reminded him that he can forget about the European Championship and concentrate on next season.
“Uli certainly didn’t mean that in a bad way. Nevertheless, Sule was hit… All the statements by [Thomas] Muller, [Manuel] Neuer and co show how important he is for this team on and off the pitch. I think FC Bayern will still miss this player a lot.”
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