Max Eberl has confirmed that Bayern Munich were interested in signing Bradley Barcola but decided the player’s price was unjustifiably high.
The head of Bayern’s sporting department said the German club had considered a move for the forward, but ultimately did not proceed because of the financial demands involved.
“We liked Barcola, but he was unjustifiably expensive,” Eberl said.
Barcola subsequently chose to move to English club Liverpool, bringing an end to Bayern’s interest in the player. Eberl’s comments provide the clearest explanation for why the German side did not pursue the deal despite holding the footballer in high regard.
The revelation is significant because it confirms that Bayern were among the clubs competing for Barcola’s services. The Munich club, described as a dominant force in German football, had identified the player as someone they wanted, but admiration for his ability was not enough to overcome concerns about the asking price.
Instead, Liverpool secured Barcola after the forward decided to continue his career in England. Bayern’s position was therefore shaped not by a lack of interest, but by the belief that the proposed cost did not represent acceptable value.
Eberl’s wording also makes clear that the decision was financial rather than sporting. Bayern liked the player, yet judged that the amount required to sign him was excessive. That assessment led the club to step away from the competition for his signature.
Barcola’s eventual move to Liverpool means the two clubs followed different conclusions from the same situation. Bayern Munich viewed the price as too high, while Liverpool agreed to bring the player to England.
No other details about the proposed transfer were given in Eberl’s comments. His statement nevertheless confirms three central points: Bayern Munich wanted Barcola, the club was deterred by the cost, and the player ultimately opted for Liverpool.
The episode underlines the limits even a major club can place on its recruitment plans. Bayern’s sporting leadership considered Barcola attractive as a potential addition, but maintained that the financial terms had to be justified. In this case, Eberl said they were not.
Barcola will therefore continue his career with Liverpool rather than Bayern Munich. For the German club, the outcome represents a missed opportunity to sign a player it admired; for Liverpool, it marks the completion of a move that Bayern chose not to match.