Daily Schmankerl: Analyzing the Julian Draxler rumors; PSG scoping Leon Bailey; Pep wants Julian Weigl; and MORE!

Julian Draxler rejects Schalke and an analysis of the Bayern Munich rumors (Calciomercato)

Julian Draxler is making a lot of Bundesliga-related news this week. As we covered earlier in the week - and subsequently a ton of other outlets have jumped on since - Draxler intimated that he would not be opposed to a move to Bavaria.

Draxler also commented on a rumored return to Schalke 04.

It is a special club for me and I will always carry it in my heart. But going back there now was not in my plans. From many things and today, I can not answer questions about my future.

So if Schalke is out and Bayern is allegedly a possibility, how would that work and how could he possibly fit in Munich?

Option 1: Versatile substitute and wing rotation player

Draxler has the capability to play both centrally and on the wing, which would be a valuable commodity on the Bayern roster should Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery both leave. Draxlers’s ability to join the wing rotation and spell the attacking midfielder would make him a good roster fit.

Option 2: Attacking midfield depth should James Rodriguez leave

The loan agreement for James is scheduled to end in on June 30, 2019. There is no indication - as of now - that Bayern will not pick-up the option to buy the Colombian from Real Madrid...but, just say that James decides that competing for time at the “10” and “8” with the likes of Thomas Muller, Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso, and Thiago Alcantara is not a desirable career option. Draxler could jump into the central midfield rotation as well.

BFW Analysis

Depending on how some of the roster decisions play out, Draxler could have a home in Munich and could help provide depth in any number of scenarios. However, is that enough of an incentive for Draxler, as opposed to going to another team in the Bundesliga or Serie A, where he could start every game?

Chris Richards helps United States U-20 team to victory over Jamaica (FCDallas.com)

Chris Richards is having himself a heck of a few months to say the least.

FC Dallas’ Brandon Servania and Paxton Pomykal, along with Homegrown Chris Richards, who is on loan with FC Bayern Munich, appeared in the U.S. U-20s 3-1 win over Jamaica in the U-20 Men’s Invitational tournament. Servania was the only one of the three that played the full match. Richards started the game at center back and remained there until he was subbed out in the 85th minute. He was not on the field for Jamaica’s lone goal.The U.S. U-19s drew Venezuela 2-2 in its match. FC Dallas’ Bryan Reynolds did not make an appearance in the match. The U-20 team will face the U-19s on Sunday at 3:30PM in both teams second match, before finishing the group stage on Tuesday.

Rumored Bayern target Taylor Booth scored for United States U-19 squad (ussoccer.com)

Taylor Booth, a 17-year old without any current club affiliation, has long been rumored to be a target of Bayern Munich. The central midfielder surely didn’t hurt his value by delivering a goal in a 2-2 draw against Venezuela.

In the first of its three tournament games, the U-19 MNT took the lead 26 minutes into the second half after goals from Taylor Booth (62nd minute) and Blaine Ferri (71st minute) put the Red, White and Blue up 2-0. Booth’s strike came after the midfielder received a throw-in near the left corner of the penalty box, turned, took a touch toward goal and sent a screamer past the goalkeeper into the far side netting.

Booth, a product of Real Salt Lake’s youth academy, figures to be a popular player in the coming months as he inches toward his 18th birthday next May. Booth will go head-to-head with Richards when the two US squads face off today at 4:30PM EST.

PSG to make a move on Leon Bailey; Chelsea also taking a look (TZ)

Bayern has been considered a leading contender to make a move on Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey after the 2018/2019 season, but Die Roten could have some competition from a familiar foe, Paris Saint-Germain. Per a report from Calciomercato (captured by TZ), Bailey is high on the wish list of PSG:

Things are not really clicking right now at Bayer Leverkusen. The Bundesliga season hasn’t gone at all the way the “Werkself” imagined. Now another report has surfaced that will really not please the Bayer bosses. According to Calciomercato, the reigning French champion PSG is showing interest in Leon Bailey. After buying Schalke’s Thilo Kehrer, the French allegedly want to strengthen their roster with more young players from the Bundesliga.

They also might displease Bayern Munich. In May, there still were reports of concrete Bayern interest in Bailey — Bayern supposedly had offered €60 million for the youngster. With PSG’s interest, it now may become more difficult to sign Bailey. The Jamaican has a contract at Bayer 04 until 2023 - he extended it just recently. A transfer thus seems less likely anyway, and if it happens after all, he’ll at least be significantly more expensive.

In addition, Football London is reporting that Bailey, himself, wants a move to Chelsea despite teams like Bayern, PSG, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal all showing interest:

Reports in Germany suggest that Chelsea are in pole position to sign Leon Bailey in January. The Bayer Leverkusen winger was linked with a move to the Premier League during the summer, but despite interest from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, no move came to fruition. German giants Bayern Munich are reported to have made a £53million bid in June, but his preferred destination is thought to be Stamford Bridge.

USMNT’s Josh Sargent scored in friendly with Werder Bremen first team (@USMNTvideos)

Josh Sargent is a natural scorer and he showed what he can bring to the Werder Bremen first team as the club played a friendly against SV Meppen during the international break. Bremen opted to keep Sargent close to the vest rather than let him join the USMNT. The move appears to have been a worthwhile endeavor as Sargent is showing that he could be in line for a call-up from the Bremen reserves.

Pep Guardiola is set to make blockbuster offer for Julian Weigl (The Daily Star)

Pep’s ties to the Bundesliga have him reportedly taking a really close look at Borussia Dortmund man Julian Weigl.

The German club desperately want to keep Weigl, 22, and when Manchester City come knocking on their door in the January window they’ll be quoted a £68m price tag. But that could be seen as money well spent by Guardiola as he scours the market for a long-term replacement for veteran Fernandinho, 33. Guardiola is worried about a lack of cover in the Brazilian’s holding area and sees Weigl as the ideal successor to Fernandinho’s throne.

Meanwhile, City are also being strongly linked with Real Betis defender Junior Firpo, another 22-year-old with a £54m release clause in his contract. Firpo signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal only last month but Guardiola has ordered his European scouts to send him updated dossiers.

Seems odd for Weigl to be worth that much when he can’t even garner a look to man the pivot for Die Mannschaft. City gonna City, I guess.