Daily Schmankerl: Kovac plays coy on Rebic; James’ status is uncertain; and MORE!

Niko Kovač likes Ante Rebic a lot, but is coy about a future with Bayern (AZ)

One of Niko Kovač’s former players who has interested many Bayern Munich fans is winger Ante Rebic. Rebic has a particular skill-set that could make life hell for some Bayern opponents. The pacey dynamo currently starring for Croatia and Eintracht Frankfurt, could fill a void as a wing of the future in Munich, but Kovač only suggested his fellow Croatian could help any team:

I am pleased that he is currently performing so well, he is a great player, who would be good for any team. . . [smiling]. We have a good squad — I am happy for Croatia, that they have progressed.

It’s doubtful that he will make a move this offseason, but next year - when Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are no longer with Bayern - Kovač could help Bayern have the inside track on securing Rebic.

James is “fit” but may not start for Colombia (Evening Standard)

While his team fights to stay alive in the World Cup, the status of James Rodriguez is uncertain per a report by the Evening Standard.

Colombia star James Rodriguez is unlikely to start against England on Tuesday after sitting out the team’s final training session. Coach Jose Pekerman refused to rule out James, but he is more likely to be left on the bench, with either forward Luis Muriel or midfielder Wilmar Barrios stepping in.

Every time a status is declared for James, it changes swiftly, so really, who knows? I can’t imagine he won’t be on the field at some point.

RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund also pursuing French defender Benjamin Pavard (Bild)

We covered Bayern’s interest in Pavard yesterday, along with VfB Stuttgart’s hefty financial demands for the French future star. It has come to light, however, that both Dortmund and Leipzig are also making offers for Pavard. Assuming he keeps playing well, they won’t be the only clubs in that mix.

As the French sports paper L’Équipe reported, FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig have great interest in signing the gem of VfB Stuttgart’s defense. Leipzig’s sporting director Ralf Rangnick has long been regarded as an admirer of the young star, the Bayern Munich have already made contact with Pavard’s representatives — and see the defensive all-rounder as a future reinforcement for their central defense.

Bayern, Dortmund, and Leipzig, will all have to wait, however, as Stuttgart is adamant about retaining Pavard through at least this season, as VfB manager Michael Reschke recently told Bild.

The subject of Pavard has picked up even more steam. There are interest and requests from top clubs in Europe, but we would not sell Benji for €50 million this summer. We want to keep him.

Kovač had the boys go biking yesterday (@Bild_Bayern)

On their first day of training, Kovac sent the squad for the bike ride.

Was thoroughly expecting Franck Ribery to whip a newspaper onto a driveway like he was just doing his daily route. Anyway, today the squad is undergoing some physical testing.