Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich battling Arsenal for Kai Havertz; Matthijs de Ligt prefers Barca (!?); a prediction for Bayern vs. FC Augsburg; and MORE!

Bayern receiving competition from England for Havertz (The Mirror)

Bayern Munich has been rumored to have an affinity for Bayer Leverkusen ace Kai Havertz. The 19-year-old star is considered one of Germany’s top young talents. Procuring Havertz will not be easy though. Aside of a frosty relationship with Leverkusen, Havertz has now started to draw the attention of some other big clubs, including Arsenal.

Arsenal scouts have again been watching Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz as club chiefs prepare to continue their Emirates rebuild this summer. But the Gunners face a battle with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, who have made the Germany international one of their chief transfer targets.

But any move will draw the Gunners into a battle with Bayern, who are keen to land Havertz as they overhaul an ageing side in 2019. Arjen Robben is exiting in the summer, Franck Ribery could also leave, while further departures are expected at the Allianz Arena also.

Bayern bosses have made a £50million-plus deal a priority, believing that if they miss out now then they won’t get the chance to take him to Bavaria again.

If true, the most interesting piece of this report was that Bayern has made Havertz a priority. Again — if true — it sounds like Die Roten will make a play for the talented youngster this summer in hopes of procuring him before he really explodes into becoming a star outside of Germany.

Ajax teammate claims De Ligt wants to go to Barca (Sport Bild)

If Ajax goalkeeper André Onana is to be believed, center back and rumored Bayern Munich target Matthijs de Ligt might want to follow his friend Frenkie de Jong to FC Barcelona.

Ajax goalkeeper André Onana (22) has revealed after the game against Real Madrid that De Ligt would prefer to move to Barcelona. “He would also like to go there,” said the Cameroonian to “Mundo Deportivo”, referring to the already fixed transfer of their teammate Frenkie de Jong (21).

It was rumored a while back that the Dutch duo wanted to move on as a package deal.

Icardi a Twain fan (Instagram - mauroicardi)

If you came here specifically to see an Instagram post of a 25-year-old Argentine quoting Mark Twain on Instagram...well, I’ve got you covered.

The post was apparently in response to having his captaincy stripped at Inter Milan.

Bayern vs. Augsburg: A prediction (Bavarian Football Works)

The big question for this game — once again — is who will be in the lineup for Niko Kovac? Will he use the his “Liverpool Lineup” to help further their cohesion on the pitch or will he use a sub-heavy rotation to provide rest to his players? Or will it even fall somewhere in between?

First place is within striking distance for Bayern and Kovac’s team does not have room for a letdown game against an opponent like FC Augsburg, which could be without its top player Alfred Finnbogason. Finnbogason is battling a calf injury, but is a dynamic, game-altering force when he’s on the pitch.

This would seemingly be a game where Kovac would incorporate Thomas Muller into the lineup given the Bavarian will miss both legs of the Liverpool tie due to his Champions League suspension. How Kovac handles the lineup is by far the most intriguing aspect of the fixture.

In addition, this should be a bit of a revenge game for Bayern as Die Roten will be looking to shake off the late draw that Augsburg earned in the Hinrunde on a goal by former Bayern man Felix Gotze.

I think Bayern will keep its focus and hammer out a “W” before fully turning its attention to Liverpool. I’d look for more Robert Lewandowski goals in this one, possibly a quick first half brace to set the tone.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3, FC Augsburg 1

Happy Birthday to Sara Dabritz! (@FCBfrauen)

The Frauen star turns 24 today.

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.

ICYMI: The journey of Chris Richards (Bavarian Football Works)

If you didn’t catch this, you should. Take a look at the journey that Chris Richards made from Alabama to Bavaria and everywhere in between. Bayern, Chris, his family, and his former coach Eric Quill gave us great access to tell the story on how the American made the jump to Germany.