Daily Schmankerl: Christian Pulisic is the man! Sanches, Thiago, and Boateng out? Martial in? And MORE!

Christian Pulisic is everything that right with U.S. soccer (USA Today)

Coming off a very strong showing where he scored two goals in Borussia Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Liverpool during International Champions Cup competition in Charlotte, North Carolina, Christian Pulisic noticed something a little out of the ordinary.

When a young fan was being detained by security for running on to the playing surface during the post-game festivities, Pulisic made his way over to the fan and took a selfie (as you can see in the lead picture and below). The youngster’s ultimate goal was to meet Pulisic and get the new generation’s version of an autograph aka, a selfie.

Christian Pulisic has been in outstanding form for Borussia Dortmund’s U.S. tour at the International Champions Cup. After the USMNT star scored a pair of goals in Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Liverpool in Charlotte on Sunday, a young fan in a Pulisic jersey made his way onto the field while Pulisic was conducting postgame interviews. According to reporters at Bank of America Stadium, Pulisic intervened as security tried to detain the young fan. Pulisic instead made sure the fan got an autograph and a selfie. Security did escort the fan off the field, but Pulisic’s gesture was certainly noticed.

Look, running on to the field is usually reserved for drunks, morons, and Morganna the Kissing Bandit (children of the 80s will remember her); but in this case, let’s give the kid a pass and recognize the moment for what it was: A kid getting the chance to meet his idol.

Video of Pulisic’s fine work is below.

Manchester United made an ‘initial exploration’ on a deal for Boateng (Kicker via talkSPORT)

Jerome Boateng has some true heavyweights interested in procuring his services. In addition to Paris Saint Germain and Juventus, Manchester United has started to inch closer to perhaps making a bid on the German international.

The former Manchester City player was linked with Man United when he was listed for sale earlier this summer, and Kicker say that the Red Devils have made an ‘initial exploration’ over a deal for Boateng. Bayern are said to be looking for a fee in the region of £53million (€60M) for Boateng, while the report also reveals interest in him from Paris Saint-Germain. Interest in Boateng comes as Mourinho is said to have moved on from first-choice target, Toby Alderweireld of Tottenham...

Boateng would be a big loss for Bayern, but the club looks ready to move on as Mats Hummels and Niklas Süle appear to be the preferred options at center-back in Munich. If — and this is a big if — Boateng does leave, it would seemingly open the door for Bayern to make an early move for Benjamin Pavard (expected to cost €50M) or Ajax starlet Matthijs de Ligt, whom the Dutch club is going to playing hardball with for any negotiations.

Niko Kovač directly addressed “Boateng to PSG” rumors and his own preference to keep the defender (Daily Mail).

I know Jerome quite well and I’m confident that he will stay with Bayern. I know that Thomas is still looking for one or two good players, maybe he will look at us, but it will not be easy to get our players.

With Lars Lukas Mai as the current no. 4 man in the center-back rotation, Bayern must ensure it has capable coverage should Boateng leave, as coach Niko Kovac has been rumored to want to play a back three formation at times (when strategically appropriate).

Renato Sanches being eyed by Paris Saint-Germain? (Le Parisien)

In a somewhat interesting development, Thomas Tuchel and PSG may also have an interest in Renato Sanches . . . or maybe Antero Henrique was just asking Sanches for the a good place to eat in Klagenfurt, Austria?

In Klagenfurt, Antero Henrique, the Parisian sports director, also had a long discussion before and after the match with his compatriot Renato Sanches, named best youngster of Euro 2016 . A new track in perspective?

This is the definition of a LOOSE rumor, but Sanches certainly helped himself on Saturday. Given the midfield logjam at Bayern, however, a loan to a top side like Paris Saint-Germain might not be such a bad thing for Sanches’ development.

Pep is back in on Thiago! (TEAMtalk)

(Cues the circus music)

Step right up and see the amazing Pep Guardiola look to slide into Thiago’s DMs to convince him to come to Manchester City . . . the “Pass-iest” Place on Earth!

Yes, just two days after “being out” on Thiago, Manchester City is back in!

Manchester United were reported to be “looking to kick-start a frustrating transfer window” by “considering deals for Robert Lewandowski and Thiago Alcántara”, according to the Independent last week. Now though City are in hot pursuit of the Spain central midfielder – a player Guardiola has tried and failed to sign on more than one occasion since arriving in England.

Pep has LONG been a fan of Thiago, so the persistent rumors only make sense.

Guardiola took charge of City in 2016 and one of the first players he targeted was Thiago, but Bayern Munich refused, and again they blocked a move in the January of last year. Guardiola, who signed Thiago for Bayern, helped them beat Manchester United to him, and he is now ready to turn to Thiago after missing out on both Fred and Jorginho. City have been looking to bolster their midfield since January, but deals for Fred and Jorginho both collapsed late on, allowing rivals Man Utd and Chelsea to swoop.

Given that Manchester City’s budget is a bit outrageous, Pep knows he has to make a targeted acquisition, which is where Thiago could fill a specific need.

“Yaya [Toure] is leaving so we have to replace him, and maybe another one,” said Guardiola on Sky Sports’ MNF in May. “One or two more, no more. We cannot invest…maybe people don’t believe me but we don’t have the money to invest £300m every season.

Manchester United is officially putting a ‘For Sale’ sign on Anthony Martial and Bayern is in the mix (The Express)

The rumors regarding Bayern’s interest in Anthony Martial are certain to spike after this report by The Express. Jose Mourinho is allegedly resigned to the fact that Martial wants to leave United this summer. United’s front office want to keep him and will trigger a one-year extension clause to protect their investment. They will supposedly hold out until they receive an offer of around £60 million (roughly €67.25 million).

Since the market for young talent like Martial looks very strong, Euro powers like Chelsea, Tottenham, and Bayern are likely to make bids.

Chelsea, Tottenham and Bayern Munich are interested in Martial, but United are not prepared to let him go to a Premier League rival, which leaves a move abroad the likeliest prospect. Bayern have so far signed just one player — Leon Goretzka on a free transfer from Schalke. They are themselves battling to keep United target Robert Lewandowski at the club.

Just yesterday, reports were circulating that Martial’s price tag could be €100 million, which makes me deduce, “BUYER BEWARE: MARTIAL’S VALUE DROPS €40 M IN ONE DAY.”

Bayern’s travel attire makes them look like they are ready to discuss TPS Reports in the second floor conference room and that’s okay by me (Bavarian Football Works)

Niko Kovač and company kept it casual for the flight to Philly as each team member wore a white, collared shirt with khaki-colored pants, and what appears to be navy blue or black shoes.

Bongarts/Getty Images

I have no sense of fashion and, in fact, spend most days in a t-shirt and shorts (much to the chagrin of Mrs. Smith), so my commentary on clothing and fashion should be taken with 77 grains of salt. Or even bath salts, honestly. Because of this, I brought in BFW’s resident fashion expert (and kit leak analyst), Tom Adams to provide a quick assessment:

Classic look, but definitely not the most comfortable to travel in. Niko’s got style. No jumpers for his team. Matching Staffords instead . . . pure class.

In fact, this escalated so much during our internal discussion that Tom will be writing a full analysis in a separate piece. So there you have it. If you fancy yourself a fashionista of sorts, take a look at Tom’s analysis later today and tell us what you think!

Robert Lewandowski training to get physical this season (_rl9)

On his Instagram account, Robert Lewandowski posted a pic of him doing a pretty intense physical workout where he looks like’s preparing kickboxing style for the new season.

The FC Bayern Frauen begin training TODAY (@FCBfrauen)

As the men’s team prepares to battle Juventus in Philadelphia, the Frauen opened up their team training today.

‼️⚽️‼️ finally ‼️⚽️‼️ This afternoon is the start of the training http://fcbayern.com/kS9L1 ! until then, you can still see the clip of the performance diagnostics you have already completed. https://t.co/CXpb0olG1j ♀‍ ♀‍ ♀‍ #MiaSanMia‍ #packmas