Daily Schmankerl: Bayern celebrates 119th birthday!; Dani Olmo on Bayern’s radar?; Julian Brandt available?; Breaking down the latest transfer bombshell; and MORE!

Bayern interested in 20-year-old Spaniard? (Fussballeck)

Bayern Munich could be keeping an eye on Dinamo Zagreb forward Daniel “Dani” Olmo Carvajal, aka Dani Olmo. The 20-year-old Spaniard stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 150 pounds and has been performing well for the Croatian club. With five goals and four assists across 30 games in all competitions, Olmo has opened some eyes including those of Bayern and Borussia Dortmund according to Fussballeck.

Several times before (Borussia Dortmund) has watched youngster Dani Olmo. Olmo plays mainly in central attacking midfield. Borussia Dortmund is currently missing a real replacement for Marco Reus in this position. Thus, the Spaniard would definitely be a candidate for BVB for the new season.

However, there is massive competition for the BVB in the race for Olmo. Bayern also watched the youngster in Zagreb. However, it is not certain whether they were on site because of the 20-year-old. The same applies, for example, to the scouts of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Juventus, Inter Milan, PSG, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and SSC Napoli, who also saw the duel between Zagreb and Pilsen.

Olmo still has a contract in Zagreb until 2021 and is rumored to have a price tag of €20-30 million (I can think of another winger below that I’d rather have that is rumored to be in that price range).

Anyway, Olmo was part of the FC Barcelona youth program before transferring to Dinamo Zagreb back in 2015. If you are looking to check out Olmo in action, check out the video below.

Bayern Munich celebrates 119th birthday! (FCBayern.com)

Bayern Munich was founded 119 years ago on February 27th. Per Bayern’s website, here is how Die Roten came to be:

11 young men established FC Bayern München at Café Gisela in the Munich district of Schwabing. Their leader was Franz John, who would later become FCB’s first president. It was a minor rebellion as the foundation meant a split from their previous club Männer-Turn-Verein (MTV; Men’s Gymnastics Club), and the consequences were undreamed of.

The club which came into life in a side room at Café Gisela is currently the world’s biggest sports club. FC Bayern has more than 291,000 members, and more than 4,400 fan clubs from all around the globe support the German record champions, who have amassed an impressive trophy collection over the last 119 years: 28 German championship titles, 18 DFB Cup triumphs, five Champions League/European Cup titles, two Intercontinental Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Supercup.

ICYMI: BFW went “Schmankerl After Dark” (Bavarian Football Works)

Our fearless and apparently sleep-deprived leader John N. Dillon covered the SportBild bombshell that dropped earlier, which included Bayern’s master plan to procure RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez, Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi. Here are some quick hitters on each potential acquisition:

Werner: I’m onboard the Timo Hype Train. The 22-year-old Germany international has blazing speed and tremendous scoring ability, along with the versatility to play out wide or centrally. Werner represents a move to cement Bayern’s future and appears to be the type of weapon that Niko Kovac’s desires for his attack. #TeamTimo #TimoTime

Hernandez: There is no questioning the quality, speed, and versatility that the 23-year-old Hernandez could bring to the back line. Again, his ability to play both center back and left back gives Bayern the type of player that can help them battle through injuries and help implement a true rotation. Hernandez, however, comes with a little baggage off the field and also has recurring and lingering knee issues. Of all the potential acquisitions, this is the riskiest in terms of injury, but Hernandez’s potential is tantalizing.

Havertz: If Rudi Voller lets Havertz go — even for €65m — it will be a surprise. The 19-year-old is an emerging global star that will be Germany’s crown jewel for its international future and will likely be drawing the attention of all of the world’s top clubs shortly. Overpaying for Havertz now might be worth it, but it’s highly unlikely Voller is going to play ball with Bayern. Interestingly, Havertz has begun to play out wide a bit and has done so seamlessly, which would only enhance his value to Bayern if he really is available.

Hudson-Odoi: Given the mess Chelsea has itself in, letting the talented winger go now would be a mistake. Eden Hazard is rumored to be on his way out and Willian and Pedro are not getting any younger on the flanks. Simply put, Chelsea can’t afford to let the 18-year-old Hudson-Odoi go.

Ah hell, while we are at it, here are quick hits on the players that we know are coming this summer or next: VfB Stuttgart’s Benjamin Pavard and Hamburger SV’s Jann-Fiete Arp.

Pavard: The 22-year-old French World Cup winner has tremendous skill and, again, brings the versatility that Kovac desires with his ability to play both center back and right back. There are, however, some questions about the up-and-down season Pavard has had for Die Schwaben, along with a big need to get physically stronger to do battle in the box.

Arp: The 19-year-old forward is a player that Bayern will be looking to make the center piece of its attack for the post-Robert Lewandowski Era. Arp could be on his way this summer or next, but he will eventually be in Munich to really start his making his name in global soccer.

Brandt also available? (Liverpool Echo)

Citing information released by Bild, the Liverpool Echo reported that Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt could be on the market with a price tag of £22m (€25.7m)

BILD also claim that Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt is available for a cut-price fee. Brandt was a target for Liverpool in the summer of 2017, but the winger turned down a move to Anfield before the club turned their attentions to Mohamed Salah. The 22-year-old is said to be available for around £22m, relatively cheap in today’s market. The Germany international, who can operate on either flank, has scored 39 goals in 200 appearances for Leverkusen.

Okay, so Brandt is young (22-years-old), versatile (can play both wings and centrally), and a consistent player for Die Mannschaft. At that price, Brandt is also — most importantly —affordable.

BUY THEM ALL!

Säbener Strasse gets new grass (@iMiaSanMia)

As the resident grass technology expert (wait...that sounds bad...real grass, like lawn...ah, nevermind) here at BFW, this is big news for the grass community.

Yes, I have somehow found a niche in grass technology / pitch maintenance for BFW.