Daily Schmankerl: Bayern linked to Inter’s Ivan Perišić and Napoli’s Allan; Benjamin Pavard offers odd assessment; and MORE!

Another Ivan Perišić to Bayern rumor (Football Italia)

There have been whispers in the recent past about a possible move by Ivan Perišić to Bayern Munich. They typically storm in for a day and then ride off into the sunset. Well, now we’ve got another story to ponder.

Inter are reportedly prepared to sell Ivan Perisic for €50m next summer, with Manchester United facing competition from Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid. Jose Mourinho made no secret of his desire to sign the Croatia international, whose profile shot up after the 2018 World Cup.

The Nerazzurri rejected several big offers, never wavering from the €50M asking price. According to Tuttosport newspaper, that target remains the same, but Manchester United now face stiff competition from several other European giants. Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are also now interested in Perišić, with other Premier League clubs potentially on the look-out too. However, Inter could struggle to achieve the €50M, as his performances this season have been a long way off his Croatia exploits.

I still have trouble believing Bayern would spend €50M on a 29-year old (30 by the start of next season) midfielder, but who knows?

Benjamin Pavard offers odd judgment (Bundesliga.com)

When VfB Stuttgart defender, French World Cup winner, and alleged Bayern Munich transfer target Benjamin Pavard was asked who the toughest opponent who he has ever faced was, the response was...different.

Sure Robert Lewandowski was in the mix, but it was not even Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Luka Jović, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Thorgan Hazard, or even FC Augsburg’s Alfreð Finnbogason that elicited a response.

Schalke’s Franco Di Santo is exceptionally hard to keep in check. He’s always on the move and is unpredictable. There’s also Lewandowski, who is a complete player and is always so dangerous.

Di Santo was proud to have earned Pavard’s respect.

Bayern vs. Hannover 96: A Prediction (Bavarian Football Works)

Aside of the midweek Champions League fixture against Ajax that resulted in a draw, Bayern has been building its form and consistency over the past three weeks.

With Kingsley Coman, Thiago Alcantara, and possibly Mats Hummels in the mix to start this week, it would be the first time Niko Kovač has deviated from the XI that has helped the squad steady itself.

I’m interested to see a double pivot of Leon Goretzka and Thiago working together should Joshua Kimmich drop to outside back in an effort to give either Rafinha or David Alaba rest. Coman will undoubtedly help the offense produce even more chances should he start.

Should Hummels see his first action in a while, he won’t have it easy. Hannover, as a squad, has not been good this season, but with Niclas Füllkrug and Bobby Wood, the team does have some potency with its offense.

Regardless, this just looks and feels like another Bayern victory.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3, Hannover 96 0

Bayern and Manchester City reportedly eyeing Napoli midfielder (MCFCWatch.com)

Much like the Perišić rumor, this seems...out of place. Allan is a 27-year old Brazilian toiling away for Carlo Ancelotti. Barring Bayern wanting a (relatively) cheap depth option in the midfield, I can’t see much to this.

Napoli midfielder Allan is emerging as a serious candidate to reinforce the midfield of Manchester City or Bayern Munich in the summer, with both clubs interested in the dynamic Brazilian.

Well-informed Napoli resource CalcioNapoli24 have been told by sources that City and Bayern are both keen on 27-year-old Allan, who City reportedly made some inquiries about recently.