Daily Schmankerl: Bayern scoping Nikola Milenkovic; Manchester United is about to pay Anthony Martial; and MORE!

Bayern Munich has its eyes on Fiorentina’s center back / outside back Nikola Milenkovic (Calciomercato)

Bayern and Juventus are both keeping tabs on Nikola Milenkovic, a 20-year old Serb currently starring for Fiorentina in Serie A.

Fiorentina’s Serbian center back/fullback Nikola Milenkovic is considered to be one of the brightest young stars in the Viola team. Due to this, he has attracted interest from Serie A champions Juventus, who were reportedly keeping an eye on him in the summer just gone. Juve ended up not making an offer this time round, perhaps due to the financial burden put on them by the signings of Joao Cancelo and Cristiano Ronaldo.

However, it now appears as though Juventus have competition, with Bayern Munich entering the race for the Serbian defender. Bayern Munich are on the lookout for defenders to replace the aging likes of Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels, with Milenkovic perhaps the perfect fit. Milenkovic signed for Fiorentina from Partizan last summer, for a reported fee of €5.1 million and, in the coming year, it looks like the club could make a big profit on the 20-year-old.

Aging is pretty harsh assessment of Boateng and Hummels. I mean technically, we are ALL aging, but those two have been pretty solid. Anyway, I think both center backs have more than a few good years left and Niklas Süle looks like an anchor for the next decade. With Lars Lukas Mai, Maxime Awoudja, and possibly Chris Richards (depending on what happens with his loan agreement) all currently in tow, Bayern’s center back depth as a club is certainly not a weakness.

Milenkovic was part of the the rugged Serbian squad at the World Cup and certainly is considered a very good talent. Where he would fit in Bavaria, however, is a question. Milenkovic has a value of €13.5M according to Transfermarkt.

Manchester United offers Anthony Martial salary bump (Calciomercato)

Bayern and Juventus (sensing a theme here?) are both still linked to Anthony Martial with Juventus maybe a little more eager to bring in the Manchester United man. However, the Red Devils are allegedly about to make Martial a bit more rich.

Juventus have a dream. His name? Anthony Martial, we can exclusively reveal through transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, with an added bonus: they want the Frenchman to be the next Emre Can, the next Pogba or Pirlo, the guy who they sign on a free. But there’s a problem: as of last week, the Red Devils have offered the 21-year-old a new deal, one worth €9-10 million a year and which would keep the Frenchman at the Old Trafford way past the summer of 2019, when his current deal expires.

Despite playing a bit-part role under José Mourinho, it appears that the Old Trafford side is convinced that it can persuade the former Monaco man to stay. Rather than let him sign with anyone when it comes to January, United seem intent on offering the French international a second chance. It’s going to be very hard for Juventus, or Bayern, or the other clubs following Martial to get their man if this deal is made...

So maybe we can begin to scratch Martial off the list of potential signees for the 2019 summer transfer window throwdown?

Lewandowski, Müller, and Goretzka featured in Bundesliga video (@Bundesliga_EN)

After a thoroughly impressive performance against VfB Stuttgart, Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Müller, and Leon Goretzka were featured in a video produced by the Bundesliga:

Kwasi Wreidt gears up for games by watching Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane (Bild)

Bayern II striker Kwasi Wreidt watches some film of a couple of his favorite strikers to get ready to play in his own games:

Before playing I push myself with videos from Romelu Lukaku. He has a similar style of play as me, is fast, physically strong, great in the end, but I also try to catch a glimpse of Harry Kane - an all-round striker, felt without weaknesses.

Kwasi, my friend, what about this guy?

DFL via Getty Images

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.