Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has defended the club's transfer policy, telling Sport Bild the Bundesliga champions do not need a massive signing to compete with Europe's best clubs.
Ahead of his fifth season at the club, Thiago, 26, echoed president Uli Hoeness' sentiment that there are no guarantees of Champions League success, even with a €100 million signing, after Bayern's interest in Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez reportedly cooled off .
"I believe Bayern Munich has always distinguished itself by not being about an individual player who stands out from the rest," he said.
"You don't necessarily have to spend so much money. There are so many hugely talented players yet to be discovered who will not cost these vast sums of money. That is the FC Bayern way -- to sign a player and shape them.
"It has always been this way and I always admired that about the club while I was in Spain. Those responsible are doing a good job and have a vision."
Thiago signed for Bayern from Barcelona at the start of Pep Guardiola's three-year reign in 2013. The Spain international has won the Bundesliga title four times in succession, and the DFB Pokal twice, but has never progressed past the Champions League semifinals with the Bavarians.
Bayern have already been active in the transfer market signing Corentin Tolisso from Lyon for a club record fee of €41.5m as well as Niklas Sule and Sebastian Rudy from Hoffenheim, while ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry has joined from Werder Bremen.
Thiago added: "Of course, every player would like to perform as well as possible but our team is all about character and sticking together. Everybody that's already here at the club, together with the new ones, must give their all in order to improve the team."