Daily Schmankerl: Lothar touts Timo Werner; Christian Pulisic, Benjamin Pavard and Nicholas Pepe updates; and MORE!

Lothar Matthäus makes case for Bayern to pursue Timo Werner (Sky Sports)

Never one to be shy about sharing his opinion, Lothar Matthäus indicated that making a play for RB Leipzig should be high on Bayern Munich’s list of transfer possibilities.

Timo can play every offensive position, he has high speed to shine on his wings, he can play in the center or on the offensive half positions, an all-round striker. That’s how I see it. Bayern must have the feelers stretched out to him, everything else would be very negligent and would mean that they had not done their homework in Munich again, but I can not imagine that. Bayern always want to have the best of the German national team in their ranks and Timo Werner is clearly one of them.

Christian Pulisic still on Bayern’s radar but maybe not Liverpool’s (The National)

Christian Pulisic as the No. 1 priority for a signing you say?

Contrary to recent reports, Pulisic, who is contracted at Dortmund until June 2020, has not held new discussions over the past days with his club about his future - the player himself confirmed that this might happen during the January winter break.

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, Dortmund manager when they signed Pulisic, is a long-time admirer, but while the American would like to play in England’s Premier League in the future, reports that he has prioritized a move to Liverpool over other clubs are wide of the mark. Aside from Liverpool, Chelsea have also shown a strong interest in the attacking midfielder and both clubs are expected to be rivaled by Tottenham Hotspur.

Closer to ‘home’ for Pulisic, many accurate reports emanating from Germany have Bayern Munich prioritizing Pulisic as their No 1 signing for summer 2019. They are expected to move for the player with 23 full United States appearances and nine goals after Arjen Robben, 34, leaves at the end of the season.

Dog makes up for goalkeeper gaffe (@Troll__Football)

I’m not saying this dog would add some depth and consistency to the Bayern back line, I’m just saying it’s worth having a talk. Look at those instincts!

Tottenham may be sad over Bayern links to Benjamin Pavard (HITC)

All Pavard, all the time...

Tottenham Hotspur might face competition from Bayern Munich if they hope to sign Benjamin Pavard. Tottenham have been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard, after Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeneß admitted that the Frenchman features highly on the Bavarian giant’s wish-list.

The 22-year-old center-back has really impressed over the past 12 months or so, and he announced himself on the world stage with a succession of fine performances for France at the World Cup during the summer.

Tottenham have been dealt a blow in their hopes of signing the World Cup winner, however, with Bayern president Uli Hoeneß suggesting that the 22-year-old is one of his club’s key transfer targets, as quoted by German publication Stuttgarter-Nachrichten:

”He is of course a player who interests us.”

Arsenal poised to ensure that it wins the battle for Nicholas Pepe (Caught Offside)

Arsenal is reportedly going to make Lille winger Nicolas Pepe its top transfer target. Pepe, was rumored to be on Bayern’s radar over the past few months.

Arsenal are reportedly ready to make Lille winger Nicolas Pepe their priority transfer target for next summer in what looks like being a battle with Barcelona and Bayern Munich for his signature. The Ivory Coast international has enjoyed a superb start to this season, looking one of the most dangerous attacking players in Europe with 11 goals and five assists in all competitions so far.

Julian Green makes American soccer prediction (Goal)

Former Bayern man Julian Green thinks that soccer could grow as large in popularity as the other major sports in the United States.

Football is getting bigger, but it’s not yet on a level with the NHL, NBA and NFL. But I’m sure that will change in the next few years. It’s a good thing that many talented Americans like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Josh Sargent move to Europe and get educated at a young age.

Green was also a hockey player growing up, before making the choice at 11-years old to pursue soccer.

Until I was eleven, I even played in the (hockey) club at home in Miesbach. Then I had to decide - and chose football. In the NHL, Tampa Bay Lightning is my favorite club and I try to watch a lot of games, but of course that’s not always possible with the time difference.