Daily Schmankerl: Bayern-PSG mulling player swap?; Canada star chooses PSG over Die Roten; Arsenal urged to stay after James Rodriguez; and MORE!

Is a player trade possible for Bayern and PSG? (ESPN FC)

In a nugget provided by ESPN FC this morning, Paris Saint-Germain correspondent Jonathan Johnson indicated that Les Rouge-et-Bleu might not give up on its pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches despite a financial roadblock between the clubs.

Interestingly, Johnson indicated that Bayern’s alleged interest in Adrien Rabiot could potentially help facilitate a deal.

Meanwhile, sources said talks with Napoli over a move for Allan had ended with PSG unable to meet the Italians’ financial demands and sporting director Antero Henrique’s attention has now turned to Bayern Munich’s Renato Sanches. Bayern’s interest in PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot could then come into play.

“Friend” of Davies linked to Bayern, but chooses PSG (Sport1)

When will Bayern’s attempted raid on North American talent end!? In one of the odd twists of the transfer market, Sport1 is reporting that Bayern attempted to procure the services of Canada’s top female player, Jordyn Huitema, who is a “friend” of Alphonso Davies. Ultimately, though, Huitema has chosen to take her talents to Paris Saint-Germain instead of Bayern.

Jordyn Huitema, friend of Alphonso Davies and player of TSS FC Rovers in Canada, has denied Bayern according to SPORT1 information and moves to Paris Saint-Germain. Previously it had been speculated whether the 17-year-old Bayern new signing would go to Munich and joins the women’s team.

And indeed, it was more than speculation. For as SPORT1 has learned, the record champion contacted her through Davies’ adviser - but she was directly involved in a rebuff. Huitema said she has had talks with PSG since September, after training there in the summer. What may have moved her: In Paris, one of her teammates from the Canadian national team, Ashley Lawrence plays. In addition, Huitema joined the the renowned Wasserman Agency, which has superstars like Alex Morgan or Abby Wambach under contract. It is said that Huitema also wants to become a global star.

So...would PSG include Huitema in the potential Sanches-Rabiot swap? Inquiring minds want to know! Perhaps we should blame Canadian community members such as Markopolo and RLD for failing to exert their respective influence up North for this miss.

This is somehow still going on: More James-to-Arsenal rumblings (Evening Standard)

Every time we are out...they pull us back in.

Emmanuel Petit has urged Arsenal to prioritize a move for James Rodriguez over Denis Suarez in the January transfer window. The Frenchman described James as “a mix of Cesc Fabregas and Isco” and believes his qualities would suit the Gunners as Unai Emery aims to ready his squad for a top-four charge. The Arsenal boss is also weighing up a move for Barcelona star Suarez, though that deal is complicated by Barca’s insistence that any loan deal includes an obligation to buy in the summer.

James, meanwhile, is on loan at Bayern Munich until the season but that agreement can be cut short for a £3m fee. James is open to a move to the Premier League, though any deal would hinge on Aaron Ramsey leaving for a fee this month.

Petit, who played for Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea, had this to say to The Mirror (as captured by the Evening Standard):

I have known James Rodriguez from when he played for Monaco and I think he is a very good attacking midfielder. I believe he is a proper No. 10, I like him in the middle of the park controlling the game. He has this quality - it’s a mix of [Cesc] Fabregas and Isco - and I think he would be a very good signing for Arsenal.

Lahm named honorary citizen of Munich (@philipplahm)

Bayern legend Philipp Lahm was elected an honorary citizen of Munich.

Writer makes case for Sanches to join Spurs (HITC)

With Sanches allegedly available, one writer thinks the Portuguese midfielder would be a great replacement for Mousa Dembele with Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham are in real need of another top quality central midfielder, with Mousa Dembele having recently left the club and Victor Wanyama facing an uncertain future in north London. And Sanches could be just the man for the job.

The Bayern ace is a tenacious, tough tackling box-to-box midfielder, and he also possesses exceptional technical ability. He has undoubtedly struggled over the past couple years, but a change of scenery might be just what he needs to help reinvigorate his career.

There would obviously be a certain amount of risk involved in any kind of deal for the Portugal international, but Pochettino should go out on a limb, and take a punt on the talented midfielder. He could turn out to be a signing of real significance for Tottenham.

While this is just one writer’s opinion, it does make sense in a lot of ways for both Sanches and the Spurs. Sanches is low on the pecking order of midfield options for Niko Kovac and will likely remain that way as Leon Goretzka, Corentin Tolisso, and Thiago Alcantara look set to anchor Bayern’s midfield unit next season.

Tedesco talks over pressure on Rudy (Bulinews.com)

As reported by Eurosport.de and captured by Bulinews.com, Domenico Tedesco backed up Schalke midfielder Sebastian Rudy, who has taken time some to adjust to his new life and role with Die Königsblauen. After a shaky start, Rudy appears to be asserting himself nicely despite hauling around a “backpack of pressure”:

It hasn’t been easy for ‘Basti’ here from the beginning as he joined when the preseason was over. We’ve said again and again that we don’t want to put a huge backpack on him. You automatically wear this backpack when you come from Bayern München, when you’re playing for the national team and you join Schalke 04. It’s our job to speed up these proceedings.

Rudy has an excellent showing last week against Wolfsburg sitting as a deep six and Schalke will be looking to build off of that performance. The former Bayern man and Germany international will continue to play confident and free as Schalke looks to make a push toward a top-six position within the Bundesliga.

Looking for some weekly Bundesliga predictions? I’ve got you covered (The Barrel)

If you are looking to kill some time this morning and want a brief preview on each Bundesliga match (along with some predictions that will most likely go up in flames quickly), I’ve got you covered here.