Daily Schmankerl: FC Barcelona could be keeping a close eye on ...
FC Barcelona is reportedly going to take another look at Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman:
Barcelona will reportedly look to sign Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich next year, with the Bundesliga giants valuing the French attacker at €40 million.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Kingsley Coman is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The Catalan giants want to dip their toes in the market for a wide attacker next year. So, the Bayern Munich forward has emerged as a target, with the Bundesliga giants valuing the French international at around €40 million
Barcelona mulled over signing Kingsley Coman from Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window before a move failed to see the light of day. The continued interest in the Frenchman is understandable, considering Ferran Torres faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club heading into the 2025 summer transfer window.
Coman can also be a top-notch addition to the Barcelona squad even if Torres remains at the club. The 28-year-old Bayern Munich attack will not cost a bomb, with the Bundesliga giants demanding around €40 million to part ways with the serial winner.
Barcelona should have the funds to afford a deal worth €40 million for Coman next year, especially if Frenkie de Jong’s spell ends. It will be interesting to see if the French serial winner continues his journey with Europe’s top clubs by joining Barcelona.
Coman is — surprisingly — getting decent playing time thus far with spot starts and consistent sub appearances. Is this because Bayern Munich wants him to stay or because the club wants him to showcase himself for a January move?
Frimpong on LFC’s radar (Football Insider via 90Min.com)Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong did not do much to impress against Bayern Munich on Saturday, but is drawing interest from Liverpool FC:
The Reds are also considering a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong if they lose right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold next year.
NUFC has an idea of how far it will go for Sané (Football Insider)Leroy Sané has not yet made his mark at Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany, so it has some other clubs keeping a close eye on him — including Newcastle United:
Newcastle United will be contenders in the race to sign Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich, but only if they qualify for next season’s Champions League. Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who remains very well-connected within the game, insisted the Magpies must offer European football to stand a chance at landing Sane’s signature.
The 28-year-old has just ten months remaining on his current contract at the Allianz Arena and has attracted interest from multiple clubs ahead of the January window. Foreign clubs will be able to negotiate a deal with Sane from January to bring him in on a free, placing Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, among others, on high alert. While the Magpies will be capable of matching the wages and financial packages on offer from Europe’s elite clubs, they will also need to prove they can offer the level of competition he is looking for.
It is said that Sane wants to continue playing at the highest level to solidify his place in the Germany setup and is unlikely to take a step down. Now, Robinson has insisted the Magpies will push hard to get a deal over the line, but the conversation cannot start unless they qualify for the Champions League.
“I’m surprised Bayern have let him get within ten months of his contract expiring,” he told Football Insider. “When a player goes that far without any negotiations starting you would expect him to move on to pastures new. I think Leroy Sane, with his reputation, what he’s done and who he’s played for, with no disrespect, would be looking to play Champions League football if he is to move on.
“He’s going to want to play regularly in the Champions League to enhance his international prospects with Germany as well. Newcastle would be able to offer him a huge financial package which would match the very best, but I think a player like Sane…
“Look, they’re up there at the moment, but I think if they don’t get Champions League football, I don’t think there’ll even be a conversation. If they do qualify for the Champions League, they’re very much in the frame and it’s worth having the conversation. Without Champions League football, I find it hard to see Leroy Sane joining Newcastle.”
Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Bayern Munich 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga)Well, it finally happened.
Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen faced in a match that was months in the making. The defending champs vs. the Rekordmeister...and it ended up in a draw. In a game full of imaginative subplots, neither team could muster up enough offense to break though the other.
There is a lot to talk about, so let’s get to it. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:
A look at the starting XI. A rundown of the substitutes and scoring. Bayern Munich did a lot of effective things — find out where we thought the Bavarians excelled. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen did not seem like it wanted to really come out and trade punches with Bayern Munich. What gives with that? What we learned from this match about both teams. CR7 could eye extension with Al Nassr (ESPN)“What’s dead may never die” — Cristiano Ronaldo might be extending his career through 2026 with Al Nassr:
Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr have opened talks with Cristiano Ronaldo over a new contract, reports Nicolo Schira.
Ronaldo, 39, has seven goals in six games so far this season and bagged 44 from 45 in all competitions last season.
The Portugal international’s contract expires in 2025, after the conclusion of the Saudi Pro League season, but he would like to continue playing until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which would make him the first player to feature in SIX different editions.
He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Riyadh-based side worth $200 million per year following his departure from Manchester United in December 2022, and sources told ESPN last year that Al Nassr are convinced that he will end his career with the club.
Injuries caused Gunners, United to hesitate on Olise (Football Transfers)Hindsight is always 20/20, but Arsenal FC and Manchester United balking on Michael Olise before his move to Bayern Munich was mostly due to his struggles with injuries:
Despite making his debut for the French national team earlier this month, Olise was born in London and had stints at Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City’s academies.
After a breakout season for Reading in the Championship, Olise moved to Palace in 2021 where he established himself as a talented youngster known for his creativity and nonchalant persona.
Teams were perhaps put off by Olise’s recent troubles with injury, which saw him miss more than half the season with a number of hamstring issues, however he appears to have put his fitness troubles behind him for the time being.
As a left-footed right winger, Olise would have provided perfect competition for Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, or been able to use his versatility to play on the opposite flank.
United, meanwhile, have continued to struggle for firepower and, despite the presence of Antony and Amad Diallo at right wing, Olise would have represented an obvious upgrade.
Olise is also believed to be a United fan and was thought to be holding out for a move to Old Trafford, but the Red Devils ultimately looked to focus their resources elsewhere.
However, the Premier League’s loss is Bayern’s gain and Olise’s blistering start has given Vincent Kompany’s side a new edge as they look to regain their Bundesliga crown and begin a new, dominant era under the Belgian.
Bayern Munich sure is glad to have taken the chance on Olise.
Hernández to talk new deal (ESPN)During the summer, Bayern Munich was closely linked to AC Milan left-back Theo Hernández, but now it looks like the Frenchman could extend his contract with the Rossoneri:
Talks are set to take place between AC Milan and the representatives of left-back Theo Hernández, reports Calciomercato. The Rossoneri are reported to see the 26-year-old as one of their leading stars in the dressing room, and they are keen to ensure he is handed an extension before he enters the final year of his deal. Hernandez’s current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 11 (Bavarian Football Works)Bayern Munich has a massive game ahead with Bayer Leverkusen, but there is so much going on with this squad that we have plenty to discuss.
What better place to do that than with Bavarian Podcast Works. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
More on the build-up to Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen. What happens if Bayern Munich’s backline gets smoked against Bayer Leverkusen? What does it mean if it holds strong? Assessing the odd-men out on the Bayern Munich roster: Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer, Mathys Tel, and Eric Dier. Assessing Jamal Musiala’s rumored contract demands. Where things stand with Bayern Munich’s interest in Florian Wirtz. Quickly catching up on where we are with the Game of Thrones re-watch.
