Daily Schmankerl: Liverpool pondering move for Julian Brandt; Eintracht purchases Luka Jovic; Nico Schulz to Borussia Dortmund?; Hakim Ziyech has many suitors; and MORE!

Klopp making a move for Brandt? (The Mirror)

Citing a report behind the Bild+ paywall, The Mirror indicated that Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp could be ready to pull the trigger on Bayer Leverkusen’s versatile midfielder Julian Brandt.

Liverpool are ready to trigger Julian Brandt’s contract release clause, according to Bild. The Bayern Leverkusen forward has attracted some serious attention from across Europe in recent months, but the Reds are ready to act fastest when the transfer window opens. Brandt can be released from his contract for just £21.5 million (€24.8 million) - a tiny fee considering the caliber of the player and his potential.

Liverpool, however, might be facing competition from Real Madrid and Juventus for the Germany international.

Liverpool will face stiff competition from the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus for Brandt, but should they win the Premier League title this season - and continue to progress in the Champions League - then they will be an attractive proposition for any young player.

Bayern Munich was linked Brandt at various times, but may no longer be involved despite the ridiculously low price for the 22-year-old talent.

It’s official: Frankfurt to purchase Jovic (@Eintracht)

Eintracht Frankfurt has triggered the purchase option from SL Benfica on star striker Luka Jovic.

Eintracht Frankfurt has bought the purchase option from Luka Jovic. Thus, the striker now has a contract until June 30, 2023.

Brandt or Werner for Liverpool? (The Mirror)

In the same report from The Mirror, it was stated that Liverpool will only pursue Brandt or RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, but not both players. Given the report earlier today, however, Bayern might have already made the choice easy for Liverpool.

The Reds have been linked with a move for Timo Werner in recent months, but would likely only sign either the RB Leipzig forward or Brandt. Werner’s contract in Germany expires in the summer of 2020, but Leipzig would be willing to sell him this year to ensure they get a transfer fee for the player. Werner is believed to be available for around £35million - £13.5million more than the cost to release Brandt from his contract.

Schulz to Dortmund could be happening (Fear The Wall)

Our sister site Fear The Wall captured a SportBild report this morning that indicated that Hoffenheim’s Nico Schulz is headed to Borussia Dortmund for 25-30 million euros.

According to SportBild Borussia Dortmund have agreed to a deal in principle with TSG Hoffenheim’s left back Nico Schulz. The German international still has a contract until 2021 but has a release clause in his contract between €25-30million that would allow BVB to sign him.

Fear The Wall also included a report form kicker that did not make things sounds as final.

While SportBild claim BVB and Schulz have already agreed to terms and of a supposed release clause, kicker dismiss those claims. They admit that Schulz is one of the candidates but according to them Schulz does not have any clause in his contract. In addition kicker report that Filipe Luis is also still an option.

Competition for Ziyech is growing (Read Bundesliga)

Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech has been linked to Bayern Munich a lot of late, but Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester City and Everton are also keeping an eye on the 26-year-old.

Ziyech has been outstanding for Ajax this season, and it comes as no surprise to see that his strong form has been met by interest from clubs across Europe. The playmaker, who has operated on the right-hand side of a front three for the Eredivisie side, is reportedly valued at €35 million, which is likely to be an affordable sum for Bayern. However, they face competition from clubs in the Premier League. Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester City and Everton.

Bayern opens soccer school in Ethiopia (FCBayern.com)

Bayern has opened yet another soccer school. The latest location is Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

FC Bayern has announced the opening of a new FC Bayern Football School at a media conference in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The partnership with the responsible Ethiopian Football Association (EFF) includes an ongoing exchange of experience plus the regular presence of youth coaches from FC Bayern to train local players and coaches in Addis Ababa.

“With the FC Bayern Football School in Addis Ababa we are opening our first football school of this type in Africa,” said Jörg Wacker. “This gives us the opportunity to bring our fans in Africa even closer to FC Bayern and, with the help of our expertise, make an important contribution to the development of football in Ethiopia.”

Following on from USA, China, Thailand, Japan and Singapore, Ethiopia is the sixth country where FC Bayern has established a Football School.