Hasan Salihamidzic, the sporting director of Bayern Munich, asserts that Jamal Musiala is "not for sale" and that it would be "crazy" to allow him to leave even in the event of a potential nine-figure offer for the Germany international.
The attacking midfielder has had a strong start to the new Bundesliga season for the champions, and former manager Hansi Flick almost certainly won't hesitate to select him for the national team before the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
With the departures of Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund and Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich during this transfer window, questions have been raised about his future in German football.
Speaking ahead of the final transfer deadline day of the year though, Salihamidzic has played down any suggestion the club would be forced into a sale for the 19-year-old, citing it as “important” that he remains with them.
“We brought him to Munich three years ago and we saw great qualities in him,” he told Sky Sport Germany. “The fact he has developed like this is due to our staff, oir players.
“He is doing excellently. It’s fun to watchh him. He is a big win for our team. It is important that he stays with Bayern for a long time.”
Questioned whether the club would even entertain an eye-watering €100million-plus bid for Musiala, Salihamidzic doubled down on his statements, adding: “We want to offer our players attactive football.
“It is important that Jamal plays for Bayern for a long time. Of course he is not for sale. He’s an amazing boy, a Germany international.
“We need a guy like that. If I were to think about giving this boy away somehow, I’d be crazy. He will play for Bayern for a long time.”
Musiala netted in Bayern’s 5-0 demolition job against Viktoria Koln earlier this week in the DFB-Pokal and is expected to feature in their Bundesliga clash with Union Berlin this weekend.