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Just one day after the DFB Pokal Final win, reports surface regarding the departures of Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Mario Gómez like a submarine after a six month voyage; everyone knew that they were going to surface, and it was all a matter of when.
Tymoshchuk is headed back to Zenit St. Petersburg, where he made 100 appearances in the Russian Premier League and the UEFA Cup from 2007 to 2009. Gómez, after some speculation, could be headed to Napoli, filling a hole that Edinson Cavani could be leaving behind after transfer rumors are nipping him in the butt.
Those were not the only moves making headlines, though, so here's a little quick catchup on some buzz linking Bayern:
Claudio Pizarro
Sport Bild has mentioned the Peruvian's name in relation to Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, and Hamburger SV. The Schalke speculation came from a Horst Held quote, as the general manager said, "He is a super striker. If he doesn't extend with Bayern, someone needs to negotiate with him." Sport Bild also speculated on Borussia Dortmund making a run with Robert Lewandowski supposedly on his way out. The Hamburger SV link is in connection with Frank Arnesen, who grew a relationship with Pizarro while both were at Chelsea.
That all being said, Pizarro has already indicated his wishes to stay. In fact, Kicker magazine has already reported Pizarro's and Daniel van Buyten's desire to stay in Munich, dispelling any rumors that he is willing to sign somewhere else. At this point in his career, the 34-year-old might just want to stay in one place, a place that just won the treble.
Robert Lewandowski
Rafael Honigstein, writer for the Guardian and the Süddeutsche Zeitung, talked about another Sport Bild article on ESPN FC Press Pass last Thursday regarding Jürgen Klopp's desire to negotiate a swap for Lewandowski's services. The two names that came up were Mario Mandžukić and Xherdan Shaqiri, which would hypothetically be in conjunction with a transfer fee.
While Klopp's desires might be real, the probability of this chain of events actually happening is farfetched at best, especially since Lewandowski has already stated his intentions to not sign an extension with Dortmund. Also, why would Bayern part with two players they have under contract until 2016? It still looks like Dortmund's only real option with Lewandowski is to sell him before his contract expires, whether it is to Bayern or someone else.
Daniel van Buyten
I already mentioned the Kicker report stating his desire to stay with Munich, but that is a little surprising, considering a report a few months ago linking him to AS Monaco. Of course, "little" may be minescule, as he only suggested that he would not mind playing in Ligue 1 again, rather than there being a definite move. With the French side already collecting Radamel Falcao, João Moutinho and James Rodriguez, Monaco is a very attractive destination for a veteran out-of-contract player like him. By the same token, with Holger Badstuber out with an MCL injury, Bayern provide the Belgian with a much more appealing position: become a consistent starter for the Treble winners ('nuff said!). Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has publicized his intent to sit down with him and Pizarro at the end of the season. In my opinion, all signs point to van Buyten to being back.
Of course there are many others, including Jupp Heynckes's upcoming announcement on Tuesday, so feel free to post anything you see or hear.
Also, the Lewandowski player-swap possibility intrigues me, despite it's lack of reality, even if it's the equivalent of trading in a jalopy to get a "new-hotness" type of car. Vote to see if you'd do the same.
May the speculation begin! And thanks for reading.