Daily Schmankerl: Juventus and Manchester City join Pavard sweepstakes; Telles to re-up with Porto; and MORE!

Benjamin Pavard becomes a target for Manchester City and Juventus (Calciomercato)

Benjamin Pavard’s popularity is skyrocketing and Bayern Munich is no longer alone in the driver’s seat to land the French defender. With FC Barcelona jumping into the fray earlier in the week, things already started to get heated, but now Juventus and Manchester City are in the mix. Perhaps that €35M release fee payment from Bayern to VfB Stuttgart is not such a sure thing any longer?

After a great World Cup with France, Benjamin Pavard has attracted the interest of several big teams in Europa. According to the latest reports, Juventus have also joined the race for the fullback. Currently under contract with Stuttgart, it seems that the World Cup winner could soon be heading towards one of the big clubs, as the likes of Manchester City and Bayern Munich are interested.

However, as reported by Le10Sport, Juventus have added the Frenchman to their wish list, although they already have Joao Cancelo at their disposal for the right-back position. Given his World Cup success, though, it’s not surprising that the Bianconeri are keeping an extra eye on the defender, also because Cancelo can play on both sides, as well as up front.

Pavard - like the rest of his Stuttgart mates - failed to stand out in Bayern’s 3-0 demolition of Die Schwaben on Match Day 2, but that doesn’t mean he is devoid of talent. At just 22-years old, the Frenchman’s versatility to float between right back and center back is a key asset that most teams covet and that would serve him well with any of the clubs mentioned above.

Regardless, if Bayern wants to be sure it is going to land Pavard, it may have to throw down upwards of €50M during the January transfer window to secure the World Cup winner, unless it wants to engage in a bidding war next summer.

Rumored Bayern target Alex Telles to re-sign with Porto (ReadBundesliga.com)

Bayern allegedly submitted a bid for Porto’s Brazilian defender Alex Telles a couple of months back. It does not look like he will be coming to Bavaria any time soon, however, as the fullback is close to re-signing with Porto.

Bayern Munich reportedly had a bid rejected for FC Porto defender Alex Telles in the summer and could be dealt a big blow, with the player close to penning a new deal at the club. A host of clubs were queueing up to recruit the Brazilian fullback in the summer but Porto rebuffed advances as they looked to retain the services of their key men. Bayern were notably considered as potential suitors for Telles and according to reports, had a huge bid worth €35 million turned down. Telles is a key man for the Liga NOS giants and according to claims from Portuguese news outlet A Bola, he will be rewarded with a contract extension at the club.

Arjen Robben and Serge Gnabry get extra medical attention in an effort to stay healthy (Bild)

Niko Kovač has some new age ideas on how to keep his players fit, one of them is to check the “CK” levels of his players.

On Tuesday morning, the preparation for the home game against Bayer Leverkusen started with an innovation: In training breaks, blood samples were taken from players. Fitness boss Holger Broich (43) went between two exercises to Serge Gnabry (23) and Arjen Robben (34), pricked the two stars in the finger. The quick test immediately displays the CK value. An increased value of creatine kinase (CK value) indicates an overload of the muscles and a muscle injury becomes a threat.

It can’t hurt to monitor this kind of thing, right?

FC Bayern Frauen have some admirers during a warm-up session (@FCBfrauen)

Wait for it ‼️ activation for today’s #UWCL game against @zfkspartak-with a few special guests in the warm-up program! @UWCL #packmas #MiaSanMia

Juventus re-signs Sami Khedira (@SamiKhedira)

Juventus midfielder and 2018 World Cup disappointment Sami Khedira has re-upped his deal with Juventus.

I am proud to announce that I have just extended my contract with the @Juventusfc until 2021. I am very proud to be part of the great story of the team and the Juventus family. Let’s keep making the black-and-white story! ✍ #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve

The best thing you will see today (@dw_sports)

This goal is from Germany’s Hannover regional league and it’s GLORIOUS.

A call for fan groups (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

We are trying something here at the Daily Schmankerl and need YOUR help. If you read my man Tommy Adams’ piece about his experience with the FCBNYC Fan Club (if you haven’t, SHAME ON YOU!), you could see how great the event was. So we want to highlight some of these wonderful groups that are out there globally and this is what we need from you:

• Name of the group
• Location
• Year founded
• Leadership (if you have people are kind of running the show)
• Meeting place
• Social media handles
• Pictures

We have 7 clubs on board so far. I’d LOVE to be able to feature a different fan group every week this season. Maybe we can do it, maybe not...but only YOU can help decide the fate of this idea. Send your info to: barrelsportsblog@gmail.com.