Daily Schmankerl: Lucas Hernandez news; Christian Pulisic move slammed; Bayern’s late signing; Mainz offers up a wild jersey; and MORE!

Hernandez’s cost this winter exceeded initial projections (4-4-2.com)

According to Spanish outlet El Pais (as captured by 4-4-2.com), the cost that Bayern Munich would have had to pay for Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez was far greater than the reported €80m fee. Thanks to Spain’s taxation laws, the total would have reached €96m.

FC Bayern considered signing defender Lucas Hernandez from Atlético in January, but the French world champion was too expensive for the Münchner. According to El Pais, the German record champion would have had to pay no less than 96 million euros for the 22-year-old defender — plus agents’ fees and a possible signing bonus for Lucas Hernandez. That was simply too much for Bayern.

The €96 million are made up of the €80 million transfer fee, which is fixed in the exit clause, and €16 million in taxes. Because of impending changes in tax law, these costs will apparently disappear in the summer. Lucas’s transfer is therefore by no means off the table for Munich. In summer, the Atlético defender will still be a hot topic.

Move for Pulisic slammed by Big Sam (The Sportsman)

Former Everton manager Sam Allardyce was not a fan of Chelsea’s move for Christian Pulisic. “Big Sam” crushed the Blues for investing that much in the Hershey, PA, native and also for not bringing him in right away after making the move.

The transfer of Christian Pulisic has now drawn criticism from Sam Allardyce, who has slammed Chelsea for allowing the player to spend the rest of the season at Dortmund. Big Sam told Sky Sports:

“I am staggered and shocked. What if he does an ACL over there? You invest that much money and then you have the settling in period... next season, who knows, he might come in and struggle.”

Pulisic’s move has been one of the more divisive transfer topics, but the American captain and Borussia Dortmund man mostly takes heat because he is, well, American. The skepticism surrounding a move like this can only be silenced if Pulisic moves to England and performs well in the Premier League.

I still think he’d have been a fit for Bayern, but maybe that is the inherent Pennsylvanian in me.

Bayern adds another player before window closes (@FCBjuniorteam)

Just in before the deadline, Bayern added some depth for its second team by signing Jannik Rochelt from FC Memmingen. Bayern campus manager Jochen Sauer had this to say about the 20-year-old midfielder:

Jannick is one of the most prominent players in the Regionalliga Bayern and at an age at which he can still evolve. We are very pleased that he would like to take the next step in his career at FC Bayern.

New addition #FCBayern has signed Jannik Rochelt. The offensive midfielder from FC Memmingen will now reinforce the #FCBAmateure in the battle for promotion. ✍ https://fcbayern.com/Rochelt010219 #FCB #MiaSanMia #BayernAmateure

Rochelt has eight goals and six assists in 23 games across all competitions this season.

The M05 Carnival jersey is wild (@Mainz05en)

Mainz unveiled its Carnival jersey and it is something to behold.

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.