Daily Schmankerl: Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt impressed Cristiano Ronaldo, but Barca is back; PSG wants Antoine Griezmann if Kylian Mbappe leaves for Real Madrid; Women’s World Cup updates; and MORE!

De Ligt says Ronaldo made sales pitch after game (Münchner Merkur)

Ajax center-back Matthijs de Ligt might be the most popular — and available — defender on Earth. De Ligt’s fame and reputation have grown so much that even Juventus mega-star Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be a fan of the 19-year-old phenom.

After Portugal edged the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League, De Ligt claims that Ronaldo asked him to join Juventus.

As reported yesterday, however, De Ligt is going to take his time and mull over his options.

ESPN, however, is reporting that Barcelona is going to make another push to bring in De Ligt.

Barca thought they had an agreement in place with De Ligt in March, but have seen their offer bettered by clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, who believe they are leading the race. Juventus, Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked with De Ligt, but a source close to Bayern Munich told ESPN FC last week that the Bundesliga giants have dropped their interest.

But a source said the club would re-establish contact with Raiola this week because they are aware that PSG are best placed to sign the Netherlands international. The source refused to say whether Barca would increase their offer. Until now, they have been reluctant to pay De Ligt more than his Ajax teammate Frenkie de Jong, who joins next month.

Barca jumping back into the fray to seal the deal would not be shocking at all.

James and Hernandez to Napoli? (Calciomercato)

Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez might find his way back to Carlo Ancelotti as Napoli has major interest in the Colombia international. James, however, might not have to make the trip to Italy alone.

Theo Hernandez is also said to have peaked the interest of Napoli:

Serie A giants Napoli are interested in signing Real Madrid left-back Theo Hernandez, as per Corriere dello Sport. The Naples-based club are looking for a replacement for Mario Rui who is expected to leave the club before the start of next campaign and have identified Hernandez as the player to fill that gap.

The defender is being informed by Real Madrid’s new manager Zinedine Zidane that he has no future at the club, and therefore, Napoli are highly optimistic of signing the Marseille-born left-footed player. However, it is expected that the Italian club will have to bid in the region of €30 million in order to acquire Hernandez’s services who is on Napoli’s wish list together with James Rodriguez.

Last week it was reported that Hernandez, the brother of Bayern Munich-signee Lucas Hernandez, might be headed to Bayer Leverkusen.

Griezmann to replace Mbappe? (Transfer Market Web)

With Kylian Mbappe rumored to be headed to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain is looking to make a power move by securing Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann. Griezmann, who won the 2018 World Cup with France and who was initially targeted by FC Barcelona during this transfer window, could find his way home for the next stage of his career.

According to AS, PSG are ready to go for French international winger/forward Antoine Griezmann (28), due to leave Atletico Madrid after five very successful seasons, in case his 20-year old NT teammate Kylian Mbappé (leaves) and joins Real Madrid for good. Griezmann, tracked by Barcelona FC, is set on be on his way out on an about 155 million euros transfer fee.

As someone who sometimes stretches the boundaries of a long sentence, even I thought that first sentence was a doozy.

Women’s World Cup rundown (@FOXSoccer)

Here is yesterday’s action from the Women’s World Cup:

• Argentina’s 0-0 draw with Japan — 90 in 90:

• Canada’s 1-0 win over Cameroon — 90 in 90:

The action has been great thus far and the United States will bring their own brand of excitement to the pitch today against Thailand at 3:00PM EST.

If you are looking for the daily schedule, here you go:

Juve expected to announced Sarri this week (Calciomercato)

Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is expected to be officially be named head coach at Juventus this week, while Frank Lampard might succeed Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus will announce Maurizio Sarri as their new coach between Wednesday and Thursday. The Italian tactician has already reached an agreement with the Old Lady who is now only waiting for the Blues to appoint their new manager. According to La Repubblica, Massimiliano Allegri’s Chelsea snub has postponed the announcement of Sarri to Juventus. The former Juve boss was the first name on Roman Abramovich agenda while, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Frank Lampard remains the no.1 candidate for the Blues’ job.

Good social media work here (@s04_en)

I’ll admit, I got a bit of a chuckle out of this work from Schalke 04’s social media team when they announced the signing of right-back Jonjoe Kenny.

Havertz turns 20 (@UEFAcom_de)

Bayer Leverkusen star and Germany international Kai Havertz turns 20 today.

BFW Postseason Breakdown Poll Results (Bavarian Football Works)

Below are the poll results from each piece of our postseason series voted on by YOU (don’t blame me!):

Most Valuable Player

• Robert Lewandowski: 27%
• Thiago Alcantara: 22%
• Joshua Kimmich: 21%
• Thomas Muller: 20%

Most Outstanding Player

• Robert Lewandowski: 38%
• Joshua Kimmich: 21%
• Thiago Alcantara: 17%

Most Improved Player

• Serge Gnabry: 75%
• Niklas Sule: 13%

Favorite BFW Piece of the Year

• Daily Schmankerl (series): 22%
• BFW Film Room (series): 19%
• From the Südkurve with love: the vocal world of the Bundesliga’s ultras: 12%

The Player We Are Most Excited to Watch Next Season

• Alphonso Davies: 21%
• Lucas Hernandez: 19%
• Corentin Tolisso: 16%
• Leon Goretzka: 13%
• Kingsley Coman: 13%
• Thomas Muller: 11%

Most Outstanding Commenter

• Markopolo: 35%
• Ineednoname: 35%*
• RLD: 7%

*Indicates likely being the benefactor of INNN-er Circle ballot box stuffing

Biggest Disappointment

• James Rodriguez: 53%
• Jerome Boateng: 14%
• Niko Kovac: 13%
• Renato Sanches: 11%
• Manuel Neuer: 10%

Player We Most Want to Transfer Out

• Jerome Boateng: 42%
• Renato Sanches: 24%
• James Rodriguez: 19%

Player Who Needs to Have a Big Season Next Year

• Everyone: 26%
• Manuel Neuer: 25%
• Kingsley Coman: 15%
• Thomas Muller: 11%