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Havertz has an impressive list of suitors (Metro)
Bayer Leverkusen phenom Kai Havertz might leave Liverpool and Arsenal feeling empty as the 19-year-old has been linked to a move to Bayern Munich in 2020.
The Metro also captured those quotes to Bild that have been floating about from former Leverkusen sporting director Reiner Calmund, which seem more like an opinion than fact. Anyway, here they are:
Kai Havertz will go to Bayern next year, not this year. He will not move [this summer]. Leverkusen want to enjoy him a bit longer but he’ll move on. Hopefully, he stays in Germany, and the club that can do that is Bayern.
United thinks De Ligt is headed to Barca (Manchester Evening News)
Despite recent reports linking 19-year-old Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United, the Red Devils seem resigned to the fact that the stalwart is headed to FC Barcelona.
Manchester United still expect Matthijs de Ligt to join Barcelona despite incessant speculation surrounding a possible move to Old Trafford. United sources have told the MEN they do not expect to sign De Ligt amid reports in Spain they are the frontrunners to buy the coveted central defender. The suspicion among the United hierarchy is the story is being framed so Barcelona can eventually claim they beat United to De Ligt’s signature.
De Ligt to Barcelona had been considered a done deal for weeks, but the lack of a formal announcement seems to have given some people the thought that maybe the deal had fallen apart.
Boateng drawing Premier League interest (The Express)
After Uli Hoeness went public with his “advice” to Jerome Boateng, it seemed like only a matter of time before the rumors started to swirl and that swirling has commenced. So far, Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked to the 30-year-old center back.
Arsenal and Manchester United are both in the market for defenders after failing to secure a top four finish in the Premier League. The Gunners could still secure Champions League football with a win over Chelsea in Wednesday’s Europa League final, but will need to strengthen their squad if they are to compete at the highest level.
Both clubs were put on alert on Monday after Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness told fans that Boateng is now surplus to requirements - and should find a new club in the summer.
United and Paris Saint-Germain were both interested in Boateng last summer, but Bayern opted not to sell the 2014 World Cup winner.
Action on Hermoso is heating up (AS)
Last week, we had a Schmankerl item linking Bayern to Espanyol defender Mario Hermoso and now it seems almost inevitable that the 23-year-old will leave the club this summer. What his destination will be, however, remains open.
Per AS, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern are both interested in the former Real Madrid prospect, who has one year left on his current contract. Football Espana provided a little more information on Hermoso’s current situation:
Madrid possess a €15m buyback clause while they also are said to still own 50% of his rights, meaning they can sign him for half that price, but it does not appear they will continue their pursuit.
The report cites PSG want renovation in that department due to injuries for Thiago Silva, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos and Thilo Kehrer this season. Bayern Munich and Arsenal are the other two clubs who have been directly mentioned in relation to the Madrid-native, with both said to be seeking defensive reinforcements.
United is “dreaming” of Lewandowski (Transfer Market Web)
We all knew there would be side effects of Robert Lewandowski ripping off his shirt after scoring the third goal in the DFB-Pokal finale, but I don’t think any of us anticipated it would cause the Red Devils to dream of Bayern’s Pole...err, Lewandowski.
While possibly swapping Romelu Lukaku with Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic, including a substantial cash settlement, Manchester United management are dreaming of signing Polish international striker Robert Lewandowski (30). Previously pursued by Real Madrid, and now linked to PSG as well, the 1988-born world class hitman, in a bit of a pickle right now, might leave Bayern Munich after five seasons.
Maier verbally commits to Hertha...for now (kicker)
Hertha Berlin midfielder Arne Maier has developed into one of the more intriguing prospects in the Bundesliga, but it seems like he wants to stay with Die Alte Dame — at least for now — despite a yearning to play in the Champions League. Maier, whose contract runs through 2022, had this to say about his future:
Sure, I want to play Champions League someday. But I still have some time and patience in that respect, I’m looking forward to another year with Hertha, I have a career plan, and at the moment I’m still well on target.
Bayern vs. Kaiserslautern is today! (Bavarian Football Works)
Don’t forget that Bayern plays a friendly today against 1. FC Kaiserslautern.
FC Bayern Munich announced that they will travel west to Kaiserslautern on May 27th for a friendly against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. All of the proceeds from the match will go to the home team in hopes that they will earn enough to pay for their license for the 3. Liga. Kaiserslautern was in the Bundesliga until 2012 when they were relegated. They remained in the 2. Bundesliga until 2018, when they were relegated to the 3. Liga.