Daily Schmankerl: Juventus still mulling James Rodriguez move; RB Leipzig joins hunt for Chelsea starlet; and MORE!

Juventus still eyeing James Roldriguez (Calciomercato)

Could Juventus make a serious play for James in January? The odds would seem against it, but perhaps they’ll make an attempt to bring in the Colombian playmaker.

Juventus have been vigilant for a long time in the race for James. As Tuttosport reveals, the Globe Soccer Awards scheduled in Dubai next week may be an opportunity to negotiate a deal for Rodriguez with Jorge Mendes and Giovani Branchini.

Fabio Paratici will also be at the ceremony in which Cristiano Ronaldo could win his fifth recognition of his career in the tenth edition of the award for the Best Player of the Year. Returning to James, his loan at Bayern will expire in June and the Bavarian club has an option to buy set at 42 million euros. Two possibilities: either the German club will sign him and sell him immediately, or the Colombian will return to Real and will be sold, with Juventus lurking in the background.​

RB Leipzig also in pursuit of Chelsea winger (Sportsmole)

It seems as if every Bundesliga team is hoping to find the next Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) or Reiss Nelson (Hoffenheim). Add RB Leipzig to Bayern and Dortmund as the Bundesliga teams hoping to land Callum Hudson-Odoi, who many think could be the next young Englishman to wow Germany.

RB Leipzig reportedly intend to rival fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Munich for the signing of Chelsea youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi. The teenage forward is attracting interest from abroad after failing to break into the Blues’ starting lineup under Maurizio Sarri. Hudson-Odoi was one of the stars of Chelsea’s pre-season campaign, but he has made just six appearances in competitive fixtures, only one of which has come in the Premier League.

Interesting stat...(@OptaFranz)

Opta put this out there on its Twitter account, which I thought was pretty telling.

23- @esmuellert_ won 23 Bundesliga games in the year #2018-more than any other player. Winning. @FCBayern