Daily Schmankerl: A prediction for Bayern vs. Werder Bremen; Bayern scoping Romelu Lukaku (!?); A Nicolas Pepe update; and MORE!

Bayern in the running for Lukaku? (The Telegraph)

As Manchester United decides what the future may hold for Belgium international Romelu Lukaku, some teams are allegedly lining up to procure his services. Among the interested parties are Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Manchester United are prepared to listen to offers for Romelu Lukaku this summer, with the Belgium striker open to a move away from Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is gearing up for what he has promised will be a “ruthless” overhaul and Lukaku could be one of those who makes way but only if an acceptable bid was forthcoming. Inter Milan, Paris St-Germain and Bayern Munich are believed to be among the clubs who have been sounded out about the striker.

Barring Bayern thinking it would be worthwhile to bring Lukaku in as an expensive back-up to Robert Lewandowski, this one seems a little far-fetched.

Bayern Munich vs. Werder Bremen: A prediction (Bavarian Football Works)

With two matches between the clubs in five days, any outcome is possible. For this Bundesliga tilt, Bayern should be considered the favorite even without Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, James Rodriguez, and Arjen Robben.

For the Bavarians, it is more a matter of who will be there than who won’t. Given how well the quartet of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman have played, it is hard to think that even a tough and scrappy Werder Bremen side can shut them down.

Defensively for Bayern, Jerome Boateng will slide into the lineup for Hummels and get a chance to prove to everyone that he still has some quality left in his game. Boateng’s defensive partner Niklas Sule will miss Wednesday’s DFB-Pokal match die a red card suspension.

Werder Bremen, however, is surely a team on the rise. With Max Kruse, Milot Rashica, Max Eggestein, Johannes Eggestein, and Davy Klaassen are an extremely strong and talented core group that has led a resurgence of the club. Kruse and Klaassen are the leaders of this group, but the young talent of the Eggestein brothers and Rashica has helped provide a spark to the squad this season.

Aside of that core group, three Werder Bremen players, who may be of interest for various reasons are Claudio Pizarro, Marco Friedl, and Josh Sargent. Pizarro made some Bayern-related news this week as he has been offered a position of brand ambassador upon his retirement (whenever that happens), while Friedl is the Bayern loanee, who only has six appearances across all competitions this season. Sargent, meanwhile, is the 19-year-old American starlet looking to cut his teeth and gain experience in a major league. Sargent has two goals in 10 Bundesliga appearances.

Even with a lot of positives for Die Werderaner, Bayern wins this one, which will set up a much tougher match on Wednesday in the DFB-Pokal.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3, Werder Bremen 1

Pepe to Bayern doesn’t sound like a sure thing (GetFootballNewsFrance.com)

Citing a source from RTL, it does not appear that Nicolas Pepe transferring to Bayern is imminent.

Speaking to RTL, Samir Khiat, Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe’s agent, offered an update on the Ivorian attacker’s future. “We are in discussions with clubs. No decision has been taken. Today, there are no favorites, be it Bayern Munich or another club. Nicolas will not go just anywhere. We have not decided on which league.

Bayern scopes Moukoko, but he’ll stay with Dortmund (Goal)

Borussia Dortmund 14-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko is considered a major talent and has caught the eye of Bayern. The youngster, however, has no desire to leave BVB.

Borussia Dortmund youngster Youssoufa Moukoko has ruled out the possibility of joining Bayern Munich, with it his desire to continue his development in familiar surroundings. The teenage sensation has made waves for BVB at youth level since breaking into the U-17 squad at just 12 years of age.

Moukoko scored 40 goals in 28 games during his first full season for the side and he has managed to transfer that prolific form into the 2018-19 campaign. The 14-year-old has contributed 36 goals and seven assists in 21 appearances for the U-17 team this term, averaging a goal every 45 minutes.

Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in luring the German to the Allianz Arena, but when responding to a fan on Instagram, he confirmed he has no intention of leaving Dortmund. “I feel very well at BVB and have goals with BVB,” Moukoko stated.

It is not just Bayern who was intrigued by Moukoko; Nike inked a 10-year sponsorship deal worth a grand total of €9.2m with bonuses.