Daily Schmankerl: Bayern hot on Ajax’s Dusan Tadic and Real Madrid’s Marco Ascensio?; Inter Milan scoping Timo Werner; James Rodriguez news; and MORE!

Tadic as potential Lewandowski backup? (HITC)

Per a report, Ajax man Dusan Tadic could fill a role as a versatile winger and back-up to Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.

According to Estadio Deportivo, Ajax playmaker Dusan Tadic is wanted by both Bayern Munich and Valencia this summer. Tadic, 30, will be remembered by many Premier League fans having joined Southampton from FC Twente in 2014 as a replacement for Adam Lallana.

Tadic’s exploits haven’t gone unnoticed, as Estadio Deportivo now report that major European clubs Bayern Munich and Valencia are now keen to land Tadic.

While Tadic is widely considered to be more of a winger, Estadio Deportivo thinks Bayern views the Serbian as a striker as well because of his scoring prowess citing his performances in the role for Ajax this season.

This season he has played several games as a number ‘9’ and at a good level. Especially outstanding have been his Champions League matches as center forward. There he has placed his coach, (Erik) Ten Hag, against teams like Bayern or Real Madrid demonstrating conditions to play as a reference. Against the Germans he scored a double at the Allianz Arena , while against the Whites it was a constant problem for (Sergio) Ramos and (Raphael) Varane.

This is both good and bad I suppose. Tadic is versatile and could provide great depth at two positions, but could it also mean that Hasan Salihamidžić’s trip to Amsterdam two weeks ago was to see Tadic and not his younger defensive teammate, Matthijs de Ligt?

Bayern “poised” for big Asensio move (Don Balol)

Guess who’s back?....Back again. The Don is a back...tell a friend!

Germany ‘s Bayern Munich he has established contacts with the player, and has offered to improve you currently perceived salary per season. The figure they would pay for their contracting would be 120 million euros, an amount that would look favorably on the leadership, considering the current moment of Asensio.

There you have it, Bayern will pay €120m for Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio. Mark it down because Don Balon said so!

Inter has eyes on Werner (TransferMarketWeb)

Bayern Munich and Liverpool have widely been considered as the leaders in the clubhouse to land Timo Werner should he leave RB Leipzig, but it appears that Inter Milan is jumping into the mix.

In search for a long-term replacement to the probably departing Mauro Icardi, Inter Milan management, according to Corriere dello Sport, have targeted German international striker Timo Werner. Turning 23 next Match 6, RB Leipzig hitman has already been inquired about by several A and B-listers around, including Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, and Manchester City.

Juve’s interest in James spark up again (Calciomercato)

The never ending saga of James Rodriguez has taken another turn back to Italy, where Juventus is still in pursuit of the Colombia international.

Serie A giants Juventus are still in the race and hunt for Real Madrid loanee James Rodriguez, who is currently on a two-year-long loan spell at Bayern Munich. James’ second season at the Bavarian side has been a disappointment. The Colombian’s time at Bayern has been plagued by some injuries, but he has struggled for consistency and has scored only 3 times in 19 appearances for the club.

We understand that Juventus are reflecting on the situation of the playmaker, whose father recently stated that he would surely fit into the plans of Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri. Bayern president Uli Hoeness has previously stated that James’ future at Bayern will depend on the manager and it will define whether they will pay the fee of 42 million euros to Real Madrid.

Juventus though, want to sort out the future of Paulo Dybala before they decide to sign James. They can count on their excellent relations with the agent of James Rodriguez- Jorge Mendes. All in all, James’ move to Juventus is not a foregone possibility by any chance.

Also, TEAMtalk had this blurb on other potential suitors for James:

Manchester United and Liverpool remain interested in James Rodriguez, if Bayern Munich do not take up their option to buy him after his two-year loan. The Premier League rivals, along with Arsenal, have both been strongly linked with a move for the Colombia international, who will return to Spain at the end the season unless Bayern opt to buy him. The 27-year-old, who is also a target for Juventus and Napoli, has not always been a first choice for Bayern boss Niko Kovac and club chairman Uli Hoeness admitted that a decision on Rodriguez’s future depends very much on Kovac.

Bernat reveals desire for Valencia return (Football Espana)

Former Bayern man and current Paris Saint-Germain left back Juan Bernat let it be known that he would consider a return to Valencia at some point. Citing a report by ESPN (as captured by Football Espana), Bernat talked through the feelings he still has for his old club.

Valencia are the club of my heart – where I grew up, where I developed. It was better for me to leave and to progress my career elsewhere and I am a professional who has enjoyed amazing opportunities and potential. I cannot say a date, but one day I would love to return to Valencia and to win a trophy with the club.

Looking to catch-up on the Bundesliga action from the weekend? I’ve got you covered (The Barrel)

For a capsule-style recap of the Bundesliga’s weekend fixtures, just click here.

Random baseball note (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern wears red. The Philadelphia Phillies wear red. Maybe I just like the color red...I don’t know. Regardless, I may stand alone in this, but I did not want Manny Machado, nor do I want Bryce Harper in Philadelphia. End the nonsense Phillies and move on!

There you have it, a groundbreaking moment where Philadelphia Phillies baseball invades the world of BFW. It worked out pretty well last time those two worlds collided, right?

This is tremendous (@FCBayernUS)