Daily Schmankerl: Barcelona backs off Leroy Sane and Matthijs De Ligt?; Joshua Kimmich is a statistical wonder; Arsenal chasing Mario Gotze; and MORE!

Barca took a look at Sane, but opted to back off (Sport Witness)

FC Barcelona is always on the hunt for Europe’s best available talent and took a gander at Manchester City star Leroy Sane. Sane, of course, has been heavily linked to Bayern Munich. Barca, however, reportedly likes Sane’s talent, but is a bit worried about his attitude.

Last week, Bayern Munich chiefs Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge publicly confirmed their side’s interest in signing Leroy Sane from Manchester City. If the report from journalist Miguel Rico on the last page of today’s edition of Mundo Deportivo is to be believed, then Barcelona are also after the 23-year-old. It is claimed the La Liga winners have ‘followed’ the winger ‘closely’ and they have no doubts about his quality on the pitch.

While it looks like the Catalan club are impressed with the attacker’s performances, one thing they are not sure about is his behavior away from the field. Rico claims Barca ‘have doubts’ about the City star’s attitude off the pitch, which apparently doesn’t seem to bother Bayern Munich.

Allegedly, Sane’s “attitude” and/or “behavior” is part of what kept him off the 2018 World Cup roster for Germany. It seems that the 23-year-old has learned from that experience and matured, but perhaps not enough for Barca to invest in.

Barca is also standing its ground (Mundo Deportivo)

FC Barcelona really wants Ajax center back, but also really does not want to engage in a bidding war to get him. De Ligt’s agent, Mino Raiola, is trying to drum up just that and Barca is having none of it...so far.

Interesting Manchester United, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain were all listed as potential bidders for De Ligt, but not Bayern Munich.

FC Barcelona considers it very clear that they want to sign Matthijs de Ligt (19 years old), the central defender of Ajax. However, they also consider it clear in the Barca club, as MD has learned, is that they will not enter into any bidding war to sign him with other clubs that intend to do so. In this case, those clubs are Juventus, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. That is precisely what is encouraging his representative, Mino Raiola, to to come out the winner in this business and raise the price of his footballer and also his own commission.

Per a report from De Telegraaf (captured by PressFrom.info), PSG might be okay with a big money deal to steal the talented Netherlands international.

Matthijs de Ligt, who has been promised to Barcelona for several weeks now, is still an Ajax Amsterdam player and does not seem in any hurry to leave his training club. Enough to boost the interest of other big European teams? This is what De Telegraaf, a Dutch daily newspaper, thinks it knows, announcing that PSG would again be interested in the profile of the 19-year-old central defender.

Kimmich was a beast this season (@WhoScored)

Sometimes you don’t need stats to back up your argument...and other times they are just really nice to look at. Joshua Kimmich had an amazing season:

Surprise! Bayern linked to Dybala....again (Calciomercato)

Tell us if you have heard this one before:

German champions Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in signing Juventus winger Paulo Dybala for the fee of around €80 million. As per Corriere dello Sport, the German giants have identified Dybala as one of the prime candidates to replace the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery who have already parted ways with the club after giving their services for more than decade.

Authorities in Munich believe the left-footed striker is more than capable of filling that void and are ready to make a bid in the region on €80 million. However, Juventus believe they are under no pressure to sell the Argentina international, who according to their own valuation is worth over €100 million.

€80 million? Do you want to see how quickly I’d leave that room during negotiations?

This is terrific (@werderbremen_en)

Just a tremendous job here by the Werder Bremen social media team. Even Markopolo has to appreciate this (okay, maybe not).

ICYMI: The latest Bavarian Podcast Works episode is up! (Bavarian Football Works)

Check out our round-up of the DFB-Pokal finale, the Bundesliga season, and MORE!

Leverkusen moving in on Thauvin? (Transfer Market Web)

Bayer Leverkusen might be working to bring in Marseille winger Florian Thauvin, who was allegedly on Bayern’s radar just a few months ago.

Bayer Leverkusen management are planning a move on French international winger Florian Thauvin (26), according to France Football. Olympique Marseille star is tracked by a bunch more clubs, including Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.

Elton John picks Lewandowski and Neuer jerseys for his kids (@FCBayernUS)

Not a bad deal, dad plays a concert and hooks you up with some sweet gear featuring Robert Lewandowski and Manuel Neuer.

The situation with Ramos and Madrid is getting heated (Marca)

Sergio Ramos is either really playing hardball with Real Madrid or he just really wants to leave. My guess would be hardball, but here you go:

Sergio Ramos’ future at Real Madrid remains uncertain, and the club are willing to let their captain depart the Santiago Bernabeu, should he bring in an adequate offer from another team. That’s the line that the club followed with Cristiano Ronaldo one year ago after informing the club’s leaders of his desire to depart Madrid in February, and Los Blancos subsequently received an offer from Juventus at the end of last season.

Ramos met with Florentino Perez, Madrid’s president, to inform him about an offer he received from China. Florentino refused to let him go for free, and the board are not willing to part ways with their captain without receiving a payment.

Effenberg thinks Boa should go to Dortmund (t-online.de)

Stefan Effenberg penned his latest column that hit on a variety of topics (available at the link above), including why he thinks Borussia Dortmund should pursue Jerome Boateng.

Borussia Dortmund lacked one or two experienced players for a title - especially in central defense. That’s why BVB should really think about Jerome Boateng. That would be the perfect stabilizer to take the fight for the championship seriously and even win it. Boateng would be the player they need for the next step. And it would be quite realistic, because Boateng will leave Bavaria. And Dortmund is definitely the only club in the Bundesliga that could be considered.

Gunners go after Gotze (Caught Offside)

Could Arsenal lure Mario Gotze away from Borussia Dortmund?

Arsenal are reportedly interested in the potential transfer of Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Mario Gotze this summer. And according to German outlet Bild, this has the former Bayern Munich man considering his future and unsure about signing a new contract with Dortmund.

We have previously heard that Jurgen Klopp wanted to bring Gotze to Liverpool, but this is the first we have heard of the Gunners potentially making a run at the 2014 World Cup winner.

Juve shopping Costa (Transfer Market Web)

Former Bayer winger Douglas Costa might have worn out his welcome with Juventus.

Coming from an underwhelming seasonal performance, Brazilian international winger Douglas Costa (28) is still up for sale, as long as Juventus are submitted an at least 60 million euro bid. Unless, of course, Bianconeri to-be-named manager compels his stay. Former Bayern Munich player is tracked by most Serie A and Premier League top clubs, as well as by both Milan giants.