Daily Schmankerl: James Rodriguez to Napoli? Jerome Boateng to spurn Premier League teams? Mesut Ozil and Mario Gotze’s uncertain future and MORE!

Report: Ancelotti and Mendes have met on James...or have they already agreed to a deal? (Football Italia)

Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly already with with Jorge Mendes, agent for Bayern Munich’s James Rodriguez, about a potential future in Italy for the Colombia international.

Napoli are reportedly in talks with Real Madrid’s €60m rated forward James Rodriguez, as Coach Carlo Ancelotti wants a reunion.

According to the Corriere del Mezzogiorno newspaper, Ancelotti and Rodriguez’s agent Jorge Mendes have already discussed the possibility of the Colombian arriving at the Stadio San Paolo.

The 27-year-old spent the past two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich and the Bavarians have an option to buy, but are unlikely to pay the €42m it would take to redeem him.

Calciomercato took it one step further, though. Citing a report from AS, it is believed that an agreement is in place — oh, and also that Ancelotti called James to nail it down.

James Rodriguez to Napoli? What seemed impossible could end up to become true. According to reports from AS in Spain, Partenopei coach Carlo Ancelotti called James Rodriguez, whom he coached at both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and convinced him to join him in Naples.

Los Blancos want to get about 40 million euros from James’ sale but president (Aurelio) De Laurentiis will try to lower the fee and try and take advantage of the fact that Real is, in a certain sense, forced to sell the player, given that he does not fall within the plans of the coach.

Just remember Carlo...

Boateng is not interested in the Premier League (The Sun)

If Jerome Boateng is leaving Bayern Munich, it won’t be for Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea or any other English side. The veteran center back is expected to leave Bavaria and is focused on Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus as the next stop of his career.

Jerome Boateng will speak to Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus instead of heading back to the Premier League. Boateng, previously on Manchester United’s radar, has been told he can leave Bayern Munich after eight years at the Allianz Arena. PSG and Juventus have shown interest in taking him in a cut-price £15million deal as Boateng has one year left on his contract.

Aussie dream of Ribery ends (kicker)

The Western Sydney Wanderers really want Franck Ribery, just not enough to break the bank. Ribery’s expected salary demands are just too high for Australia.

Markus Babbel, coach of the Australian first division club Western Sydney Wanderers, has admitted that his club Franck Ribery (36) cannot pay. “I had a long talk with our chairman and unfortunately he’s not ready to dig so deep into his pocket,” Babbel told Sky. Ribery had not received a new contract from FC Bayern after twelve years. Among other things, Babbel had also expressed interest in the Frenchman.

Robben ranks top 10 Bayer goals (You Tube — FC Bayern Munich)

Arjen Robben took a little time to re-live some of his best work.

Gunners may put Ozil up for sale (Transfer Market Web)

Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has had a rough year and it looks like the London club might be open to selling the 30-year-old.

Arsenal are reportedly open to selling Mesut Ozil, despite the player has a deal expiring in June 2021 and even if he is happy to stay at the club. According to London Evening Standard, Gunners with limited funds available, would be willing to part ways with their highest earner. So the English club will sell Ozil, if a suitable buyer can be found.

Gotze may have to take a pay cut to stay with Dortmund (kicker)

Borussia Dortmind’s Mario Gotze had a great season under Lucien Favre, but the 2014 World Cup winner’s salary is making him a bit of a liability on the BVB bankroll. Gotze is second only to Marco Reus on the team’s salary scale and may need to take a lesser salary if he wants to stay with the club.

What happens next for Mario Gotze (26)? Borussia Dortmund will soon be in talks with the offensive man: His contract only has a term of one season, and the possibilities for further cooperation are now being explored as is customary in the industry. One thing is clear: in order to continue earning as much as before, Gotze would have to change employers this summer or next. In the salary ranking of Borussia he is second behind captain Marco Reus, which does not correspond to his importance for the team despite a positive trend. Gotze would have to accept a correspondingly large cut-back for a new working paper. Recently there were rumors that Arsenal was interested in the 2014 World Champion.

Arsenal lands Bayern’s Maier (Arsenal.com)

As foretold earlier in the week, Arsenal has signed former FC Bayern Frauen player Leonie Maier. Maier had this to say:

After six years at Munich, I think it was time for a new chapter. It has always been a dream of mine to play abroad and I think that the Women’s Super League has developed in an amazing way for the last few years, so for me it’s a great honor to join Arsenal.

I’m very proud to be part of this amazing club. My first impression of Arsenal was very positive. I had good conversations with Clare and with Joe. I’m really looking forward to playing with my new team-mates and working with the new staff. I’m very excited about playing in the Super League.

I think it’s about learning a new culture, a new language - I think I have to improve my English but it’s getting better over time. It’s a new chapter for me and I’m looking forward to it.

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

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