Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness has defended the club’s summer transfer business, insisting the German champions remain stronger than ever despite missing out on several top targets.

Speaking on Sport1-Doppelpass, Hoeness admitted Bayern would have liked to sign Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz but dismissed the idea of paying €150 million. He also downplayed Nick Woltemade’s €90 million move to Newcastle United.

“Woltemade is a good footballer and a super nice guy, but he’s not worth €90 million,” Hoeness said.

The 72-year-old pointed to the financial power of foreign clubs as Bayern’s biggest obstacle in the market. “It’s a monopoly,” he argued. “You land on Schlossallee [the most expensive square in German Monopoly], then some sheikh comes along and buys it.”

Despite missing out on Wirtz, Woltemade, and Nico Williams, Hoeness insisted: “We are the real winners because we have a very strong team.”