Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said the club opted not to sign Leroy Sane because of doubts over whether he would fit into the side and a reluctance to "stockpile" players.
Sane, 20, joined Manchester City from Schalke for £37.5 million earlier this summer.
Both Bayern and Real Madrid were reported to have been chasing the Germany international attacker international before he opted to switch to City.
Rummenigge told Sport Bild: "We plan our squad carefully every year. There's no need for us to stockpile players.
"If we had signed Sane, we would not have been able to guarantee him a starting place.
"We've already got Arjen Robben, Douglas Costa, Franck Ribery, Kingsley Coman, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski. That's a great attacking lineup."
Meanwhile, Robben has again declined to set a definite date for his comeback from injury.
The Netherlands captain, 32, returned to team training on Sunday but has not played since aggravating a groin injury in Bayern's opening preseason friendly at Lippstadt almost two months ago.
"It's looking good, but I've learnt from the past it's wise not to get carried away too early," he told the club's TV channel.
"We're taking it day by day. The most important thing for me is to keep training well with the team and getting stronger."