Daily Schmankerl: Luka Jovic to Real Madrid; Leroy Sane using Bayern against Manchester City?; Juventus eyeing Jerome Boateng; Bayern targeting Krzysztof Piatek & Hakim Ziyech; plus MORE!

Jovic and Madrid expected to finalize deal next week (AS)

Eintracht Frankfurt striker is said to be one of the players that Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac would like to bring in, but that dream could come to an end shortly for Kovac. Real Madrid is expected to finalize a deal with Jovic next week.

Real Madrid’s plan is to finalize a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt and Serbia striker Luka Jovic next week, after the Bundesliga club’s season-defining match against Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The asking price for Jovic is reportedly around the 60-million-euro mark and the addition of the prolific striker, who has bagged 27 goals in 47 appearances this season, will solve an issue that has dogged Madrid for some time: providing genuine competition for Karim Benzema.

The Daily Mail is also reporting that the deal will be worth approximately €60 million.

It should be noted, however, that nothing is “official” until the teams acknowledge the deal, but the rumors have been lingering on this story enough to think that there is a very good chance this move is going to happen.

In the meantime, enjoy this Bundesliga video touting the respective strengths of Jovic and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.

Bayern still looking at Piatek? (Transfer Market Web)

Bayern is allegedly still looking at AC Milan striker and Poland international Krzysztof Piatek. Bayern was scouting Piatek in the first half of the season when he was with Genoa, but the 23-year-old moved to AC Milan in January.

Crossing a scoring slump, AC Milan main striker Krzysztof Piatek (23), Robert Lewandowski’s Polish NT “understudy”, has been targeted by no less than Bayern Munich, tempted to replace Lewa himself with his spiritual legacy. Currently on a deal with Rossoneri until June 2023, former Genoa hitman, who might be tempted to leave if his team don’t achieve CL pass, is tracked by Napoli and AS Roma as well.

Bayern back in on Ziyech? (Daily Mail)

Bayern was said to have moved on from a potential pursuit of Ajax star Hakim Ziyech, but now maybe the Bavarians are reportedly back in the mix for the 26-year-old.

Bayern Munich are eyeing a move for Ajax star Hakim Ziyech as their hopes of signing Callum Hudson-Odoi fade away. The Bundesliga giants are eager to bolster their squad as they look to continue their domination within Germany and become one of the most feared sides in Europe again. And according to German publication Sport Bild, Bayern have turned their attentions to Ziyech and have already made contact with the 26-year-old.

Van de Beek gets offer to extend deal (Daily Mail)

Ajax’s Donny van de Beek has drawn the interest of such clubs as Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, and Tottenham Hotspur, but Ajax would like to hang on to its star midfielder.

Ajax have reportedly offered midfielder Donny van de Beek a new contract in a bid to ward off interest from Tottenham and the rest of Europe’s elite this summer. The 22-year-old is being monitored by Spurs as a potential replacement for Christian Eriksen, though they will have to compete with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

For his part, Van de Beek had this to say:

Let it be clear that I have had a great season and I am very happy to play for Ajax. It will always remain that way. You never know what happens, but I still have a contract. We will see it for the rest. I haven’t discussed it with anyone yet.

Sane might just be using Bayern (Daily Star)

Citing journalist Duncan Castles, the Daily Star put out a story that says Germany international Leroy Sane might just be using Bayern to drive up his salary with Manchester City.

Manchester City winger Leroy Sane could use interest from Bayern Munich to negotiate a better deal at the Etihad. That’s according to journalist Duncan Castles, who claims City are desperate to retain the German this summer. The Premier League champions are keen to tie Sane down to a lengthier deal, with just two years to run on his current contract at the club. It is believed Bayern are eyeing up a move for the 23-year-old this summer, yet Castles feels Sane could take advantage of the Bundesliga champions’ interest to receive guarantees over more playing time at City.

Specifically, Castles had this to say (this is a brief extraction from a much longer quote):

So I think Bayern Munich will very much have to sell this project to Sane and make him believe that if he goes there he will be central to their Champions League campaign next season and that he will be, I don’t know if Bayern Munich will guarantee places to players, but Sane will want assurances that he is going to be a first choice in a way he hasn’t been at Manchester City and in a way that’s annoyed him this season. I’m sure Bayern will try and get cheaper, but you have to say that Bayern have already put €80m down to Atletico Madrid for a defender this summer. So their negotiating position of not wanting to pay high fees is compromised by that.

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.

Juve scoping Boateng (Transfer Market Web)

Juventus is taking a look at several defenders to solidify its back line and Bayern’s Jerome Boateng is among the candidates under consideration.

Whilst their main back line targets are still on (Matthijs De Ligt, Kostas Manolas, Alessio Romagnoli, Marquinhos, Samuel Umtiti), Juventus club leaders, together with Atletico Madrid semi-outcast Stefan Savic, are still keeping an eye on German international center back Jerome Boateng (30). Close to join PSG last summer, Bayern Munich veteran might be leaving, out of eight seasons spent playing for Die Roten by now, on an about 15 million euros fee, a very affordable price for Bianconeri.

ICYMI: The next podcast is up! (Bavarian Football Works)

Our latest podcast is up, so give it a listen and feel free to ridicule me in the comments!

This made me chuckle a bit (@FCBayernUS)