Daily Schmankerl: USMNT star Christian Pulisic again linked to Bayern Munich; a Leon Bailey update; and a lot MORE!

Bayern considered the favorite (!?) for USMNT star Christian Pulisic (The Sport Review)

So...maybe Bayern Munich is not “out” of the running on USMNT star and Borussia Dortmund man Christian Pulisic?

Christian Pulisic is likely to move to Bayern Munich rather than Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC if Borussia Dortmund do opt to sell the American this summer, according to Sunday Times reporter Duncan Castles. The United States international has been regularly linked with a move to Liverpool FC since Jurgen Klopp took over the reins in October 2015. Chelsea FC and Manchester United have also been linked with a potential swoop to sign the Dortmund star in recent seasons.

Castles, a Sunday Times reporter, thinks Pulisic will end up in Bavaria, as he told the Transfer Window podcast:

We could see a transfer this window. He is a player of interest to all the top clubs in England. He has massive additional commercial appeal. Liverpool have bid for the player several years ago. They won’t bid this summer. Chelsea have had a look at him if Hazard or Willian were to leave. The most likely destination for him his Bayern Munich. I heard Vidal was sold to raise funds to sign Pulisic. They have been working on a deal for some time.

I was on Team Pulisic before the pic of him swinging a bat...now, I have thrown momma from the hype train and taken control. All aboard! Bayern’s signing of Pulisic would be a real home run if you ask me!

The lack of activity in this transfer window has left some of the Bayern faithful a bit frustrated; would a move for Pulisic make this a successful transfer season?

And yes, I am taking all of this with many grains of salt, but as Aristotle once said, “Hope is a waking dream.”

Bundesliga video highlights the career of Thomas Müller (Bundesliga You Tube)

Look, if this Thomas Müller video doesn’t get you a little excited for the Bundesliga season, you have no soul.

Bayer Leverkusen says it has no offers for Leon Bailey (Münchner Merkur)

Rudi Völler gave an update on Leon Bailey’s status with Bayer Leverkusen.

The transfer window closes in England at 18.00, and we have no offer for him... There definitely are offers to which we would not say no, but that is not the case at the moment.

It sounds as if Leverkusen would be willing to sell Bailey if it were blown away with an offer. With the English transfer window ending today, Die Werkself may lose a key pool of suitors for a big money sale, while Serie A, La Liga, Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga have a bit more time.

Douglas Costa thinks he’ll be better in Serie A this year and has thought about CR7’s impact (GianlucaDiMarzio.com)

Fomrer Bayern man Douglas Costa is poised for a big season with Juventus. Costa told Italian Football TV that it took time to adjust to the level of play in Serie A (as captured by GianlucaDiMarzio.com):

I think Serie A is very different a league from the others. It’s a league that takes a bit of time. I needed six months to reach my best — and this year has all the makings of an important year. After one year of adjustment, I think it will be a better season.

Also — and predictably — Costa thinks Cristiano Ronaldo will help Juventus raise its collective game:

I believe Ronaldo has everything to take us to another level and achieve important things this season. I think everyone will receive him well in the group. Everyone knows our team will raise its level. That’s clear; you can’t hide it.

Serge Gnabry profiled on video (FC Bayern TV)

Yesterday our own Ben Erwin put out a pretty compelling piece detailing the importance of Serge Gnabry to Die Roten this season. If you still aren’t aboard the Gnabry hype train, watch this video...it may change your mind.

You want to see some vintage Robert Lewandowski? Here you go! (@_Ekstraklasa_)

Let’s see more of this during the season...

ICYMI: All of the goals from Bayern’s 20-2 friendly win over FC Rottach-Egern (@FCBayernUS)

The players had some fun yesterday and if you missed how Bayern racked up a 20-spot on their opponents, you can see all the scoring plays here:

If you want to read our brief recap, here you go as well.

Alphonso Davies is pretty fast (@WhitecapsFC)

What ever happened to...Alexander Baumjohann? (FourFourTwo.com)

Remember Alexander Baumjohann and his memorable three-game stint with Bayern? No? Maybe? Well, if you do, the attacking midfielder has signed with Australian side, the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney Wanderers have announced the signing of ex-Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Alexander Baumjohann for the 2018/19 A-League season. The 31-year-old German arrives in Australia following a recent spell in Brazil with Coritiba FC and most recently Vitoria in the Brazilian Série A.

The journey from Germany to Brazil to Australia is not one that is often taken, so good luck to Baumjohann as he continues his global excursion in the sport.