Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich’s James Rodriguez decides on future; Arjen Robben to Leicester City (!?); Ilkay Gundogan wants Leroy Sane to stay with Manchester City; & MORE!

James has decided to leave Bayern (Sky)

As expected, Bayern Munich’s James Rodriguez has reportedly made his decision to leave Germany after this season. The Bavarians are not expected to activate their option to buy James from Real Madrid and instead will let the Colombia international return to Spain.

James Rodríguez has made his decision: The Colombian is determined to leave FC Bayern this summer. Although the record champion has a purchase option of 42 million euros, according to Sky info James’ decision is definitive: he does not see his future in Munich and has already made this clear internally.

Some of the clubs that have allegedly had interest in James include Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain. As of now, however, it does not look like any of them have had formal discussions with James.

It’s highly unlikely that FC Bayern will still pull the purchase option on a player who is willing to change. But an official decision will only be made after the cup final. James consultant Jorge Mendes is already looking intensively for potential customers for the 27-year-old, who is still tied to Real Madrid until 2021. Although Juventus Turin is still a possibility, there is still no concrete offer from Italy.

Could Robben head back to the Premier League? (FilbertWay.com)

We have heard some really far-fetched rumors of late, but this one came out of nowhere. As Bayern’s Arjen Robben prepares for his last game with the Bavarians, would he consider a future with Leicester City?

The other player that could be in line for a Premier League return is Arjen Robben who just finished a fantastic period at Bayern Munich. The player could be keen on a return to the Premier League, with Leicester City seen as a possible new destination.

Robben would be the ideal signing, he still got plenty of pace, fantastic experience and routine and even able to settle for a place in a bit of rotation with others and could also be a super cover for Jamie Vardy up front if needed.

Toronto FC, FC Groningen, PSV Eindhoven all seemed like more realistic destinations, but England might be intriguing if Robben truly wants to continue to play for a high-level club in a top-tier league.

Gundogan wants Sane to stay (Daily Mail)

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan is not eager to see his countrymen Leroy Sane head back to the Bundesliga.

If players in our team at one or another time do not play, it has now become a normal fact that there are automatic rumors. As our coach has already said, the club wants to keep Leroy.

Clearly, losing a player of Sane’s talent is a huge loss to any squad and we are still at the stage where no one really knows how serious the entire “Sane-to-Bayern” situation really is. I continue to be skeptical.

Bayern chasing Hermoso? (Sport)

Bayern is rumored to be among the teams taking a look at Espanyol center back Mario Hermoso.

Mario Hermoso has been one of the surprises this season. He has also been considered by UEFA, which has placed him in the revelation eleven of La Liga 2018-19. The Espanyol center back has made a great campaign in the center of the Catalan team’s defense, and that has not left indifferent the big clubs that are looking for a reference center back to reinforce their defense.

Among them are PSG, Bayern Munich and Arsenal, who have already shown interest in the signing of the Spanish player for next season.

In addition, Real Madrid reportedly has a buy-back clause and would be able to activate that, so that Los Blancos would be a beneficiary of any sale.

Hazard signs with BVB (@BlackYellow)

Dortmund announced that it has bought Borussia Monchengladbach’s Thorgan Hazard. Per kicker, BVB will pay M’Gladbach for 25.5 million euros, plus potential bonuses for the Belgium international.

Brandt to Dortmund looks likely (GetFootballNewsGermany.com)

Borussia Dortmund’s talent influx looks like it is taking full form. Yesterday BVB announced that it had signed Hoffenheim’s Nico Schulz and today Dortmund signed Hazard, but the Black and Yellows appear to be close to signing Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt as well.

Interestingly, FC Barcelona defender Mateu Morey was also referenced. Morey is a 19-year-old right back.

Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Julian Brandt will undergo his medical at Borussia Dortmund this week, according to Bild. It’s been suggested the playmaker has a €25 million exit clause. The 23-year-old Germany international accepted Borussia Dortmund’s offer and is expected to complete his transfer later this week when he returns from his holiday in Barcelona.

Kicker also suggest that BVB will soon complete the transfer of Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Thorgan Hazard and Barcelona defender Mateu Morey.

As you can see above, Hazard’s deal has already been finalized, so perhaps both Brandt and Morey will be done shortly.

ICYMI: Bavarian Podcast Works is back! (Bavarian Football Works)

The latest version of the podcast is posted. Give a listen and heart our scorching hot takes and analysis, so you can remember when we are wrong and scorch us in the comments!

Germany’s latest U-21 team (@DFB_Team_EN)

Take a gander at Germany’s U-21 squad for training camp ahead of the U-21 Euro competition.

Bayern and Paulaner extend deal (FCBayern.com)

Beer is good.

FC Bayern and the Paulaner brewery have extended their longstanding partnership, with the two Munich institutions agreeing an early extension of the contract for another seven years.

The team, the club officials and fans celebrated Bayern’s 29th German championship title at the Paulaner am Nockherberg brewery on Saturday. Around 2,500 fans welcomed the team to a fan festival organised by the brewery. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge thanked Alexandra Schörghuber (Schörghuber group chairwoman) and Andreas Steinfatt (Paulaner CEO) on behalf of FC Bayern for their hospitality and the successful cooperation that is to continue through to 30 June 2026.

Rafinha, Robben, Ribery tribute videos (FC Bayern - You Tube)

Yesterday, we had the Franck Ribery tribute video posted, but here are the Rafinha and Arjen Robben versions as well.

For good measure, here is the Ribery video again if you missed it.