Daily Schmankerl: Juventus wants Renato Sanches; Bayern again linked to Cengiz Ünder; and MORE!

Juventus contemplating move for Renato Sanches (Calciomercato)

Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches is gaining some fans, particularly Serie A giant, Juventus.

According to the latest reports from Rai Sport, Juventus could make a move for Bayern Munich’s midfielder Renato Sanches, who has failed to perform for the German side. In fact, as claimed by the report, the Bianconeri’s sporting director Fabio Paratici is ready to make a gamble on the Portuguese, who was destined for glory just a few years ago. However, after a failed period at Bayern Munich, a then unsuccessful loan spell at Swansea further weakened Sanches’ stocks.

With that said, though, this is not the first time that Juventus have been linked with the player, as German press reported about the links just a few weeks ago. Furthermore, the player’s is Jorge Mendes, with whom the Bianconeri have a great relationship. Therefore, a transfer certainly shouldn’t be ruled out, although it wouldn’t take place before the summer.

Cengiz Ünder again linked to Bayern (Calciomercato)

Despite rumors that AS Roma was going to provide him a pay raise just last week, Cengiz Ünder could still be on the radar of Bayern.

Cengiz Ünder has only been at Roma for just over a year, but could already be on his way out after attracting the interest of several big clubs. In fact, there have been many reports linking him with Bayern Munich as of late, and this was further sparked today as Under’s former president at Altinordu, Mehmet Özkan, confirmed the rumors.

”Bayern Munich are following him [Ünder] very closely, and he could leave for an important transfer fee,” Özkan told Turkish outlet takvim.com.tr.

At the age of 20, the Turkish winger joined Roma last summer for a fee of €14m, turning out to be a great bargain. In fact, it has previously been reported that Bayern Munich could offer €60m to Roma in order to land Under; an offer that the Giallorossi shouldn’t turn down.

Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz linked to Arsenal (The Mirror)

Bayer Leverkusen wunderkind Kai Havertz might be one of the faces for a new hope in German soccer, but will the lure of the English Premier League be too much to resist?

Arsenal are eyeing two of Europe’s top young talents – Rennes starlet Ismaila Sarr and Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz. Gunners head of recruitment Sven Mislintat is already well ahead with his plans for the future, and Mirror Football can reveal that winger Sarr and midfielder Havertz are in his sights.

Any movement by Havertz would be a devastating event for Leverkusen. Assuredly, the DFB (which has enough problems right now) would probably like to see Havertz stay in the Bundesliga a bit longer as well.

Borussia Dortmund linked to Manchester City starlet Phil Foden (The Daily Mail)

Using Jadon Sancho as a case study, Dortmund is allegedly ready to try and lure Manchester City’s Phil Foden to Germany.

Borussia Dortmund want to team up Phil Foden with England debutant Jadon Sancho in the Bundesliga, with RB Leipzig and Paris Saint-Germain also monitoring the future of the Manchester City starlet. Foden, 18, has been at Manchester City since the age of six and would still be expected to sign a new contract with the club, with his current deal running out in 2020

Sancho is a direct contemporary of Foden’s and whilst the City star was the Golden Ball winner as the best player of the Under-17 World Cup, which England won, Sancho started on the bench. But Sancho is now ahead of all his Under-17 team-mates, having made his senior England debut with Foden playing for the Under-21s last week.

Sancho rise has come because at Dortmund he has started a Champions League game and featured in ten games overall this season and has provided the leading amount of assists in the top European Leagues. Foden is a City fan and so would seem unlikely to move but European clubs know that young English players are increasingly mindful of their lack of first-team opportunities.

Foden is considered one of England’s brightest young stars and would seemingly be extremely difficult to pry away from Pep Guardiola.

Happy Birthday Niko Kovac! (@FCBayernEN)

The Bayern coach is 47, though he likely feels 77 after the past month.

Another call for Marc-André ter Stegen to start for Germany (Barca Blaugranes)

The general disarray surrounding Die Mannschaft has put a target on the back of everyone on the roster, including captain Manuel Neuer. We had our own think piece discussing Neuer’s recent poor performances, but others are also taking note; including our sister site Barca Blaugranes, which issued their own call for ter Stegen.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will come in for criticism after getting caught out for the first goal. The Bayern Munich stopper made a mess of Memphis Depay’s corner, allowing Virgil van Dijk to slot home into an empty net after Ryan Babel had hit the bar.

Neuer used to be regarded as the world’s best goalkeeper but that’s no longer the case. He missed most of last season through injury, returning to play in the World Cup where he will largely be remembered for being caught too far upfield in their defeat to South Korea which sent them crashing out in the group stages.

Ter Stegen admitted during the World Cup he found it a “disappointing situation” to be left on the bench for the competition after starring for Barcelona as they won the double. It’s easy to understand his frustrations.

He’ll be even more disappointed if he does not start against France on Tuesday, as he deserves the chance to stake a claim for Germany’s No. 1 shirt.

He has been a rock at the back once again for Barcelona this season. Low only needs to watch Barcelona’s 2-1 win at Real Sociedad to see him making crucial saves from Theo Hernandez and Juanmi.

A call for fan groups (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

We are trying something here at the Daily Schmankerl and need YOUR help. If you read my man Tommy Adams’ piece about his experience with the FCBNYC Fan Club (if you haven’t, SHAME ON YOU!), you could see how great the event was. So we want to highlight some of these wonderful groups that are out there globally and this is what we need from you:

• Name of the group
• Location
• Year founded
• Leadership (if you have people are kind of running the show)
• Meeting place
• Social media handles
• Pictures

I’d LOVE to be able to feature a different fan group every week this season. Maybe we can do it, maybe not...but only YOU can help decide the fate of this idea. Send your info to: barrelsportsblog@gmail.com