Daily Schmankerl: A Thomas Muller update; Will Manchester City retain Leroy Sane?; Napoli closing in on James Rodriguez; Women’s World Cup coverage; and MORE Bayern Munich news

Muller might have several potential suitors (Transfer Market Web)

Yesterday we covered the absolutely ludicrous offer than an unnamed Chinese Super League team is allegedly offering Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller. An absurd €25 million per year salary is what Muller was reportedly being offered, but the news — bogus or not — shook loose some other teams that are supposedly taking a look at Muller. Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Arsenal are all potentially interested in the 29-year-old Bavarian.

According to Sport Bild, an unnamed CSL side have just submitted German international Thomas Muller (29) a 25 million euros annual salary maxi-offer. Bayern Munich core-player, still on a deal with Die Roten until June 2021, is a market dream for a bunch of European clubs, including Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Manchester United.

Felix and Atleti getting close (kicker)

In a move that could have a trickle-down effect on Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Leroy Sane, Atlético Madrid is closing in on a signing of Benfica’s Joao Felix. Felix, a winger, has also been rumored to be a target of Manchester City. If City cannot land Felix, it could make the club more inclined to retain Sane.

Marca in Spain announces that the transfer of Benfica jewel Joao Felix to Atletico Madrid will become more concrete and could be “announced in the next few hours.” According to the Rojiblancos had won the race for the coveted midfielder, to which Manchester City should have been tuned. For the 19-year-old Atleti would have to transfer a transfer of 120 million euros to Lisbon and is apparently ready to do so. So Joao Felix would be the most expensive transfer in the history of the ex-master - so far this was Thomas Lemar, who cost 72 million euros last summer.

Napoli getting closer to James (Sky Sports Italy)

The long-rumored move to Napoli for James Rodriguez might be happening as Real Madrid is having major difficulties in selling the Colombia international.

James Rodriguez gave the okay for the transfer to Naples. The Colombian three-quarter player, who returned to Real Madrid from his loan to Bayern Munich, expressed his appreciation for the negotiations that would bring him to Serie A under the orders of Carlo Ancelotti, who has already trained him in Spain in the 2014/2015 season,

The Daily Mail dug a little deeper into what is going on:

The Colombian has long been out of favor in the Spanish capital, having spent the last two years on loan at Bayern Munich. He will join up with his former Madrid and Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti in Naples on what will initially be a £8.9million one-year loan with an option to purchase for £26million. Real Madrid had hoped to sell the 27-year-old but were unable to find a club willing to stump up the transfer fee and wages required.

ICYMI: We hit the Hummels news via podcast (Bavarian Football Works)

There was a lot of Mats Hummels-to-Borussia Dortmund news going on and we felt like we needed to hit on it. Give it a listen and give us your take on whether or not the veteran defender should make the move back to BVB.

Women’s World Cup rundown (@FOXSoccer)

If you aren’t watching the Women’s World Cup, you are missing some great action. Here is yesterday’s recap:

• Germany crushed South Africa 4-0 — 90 in 90:

• Spain and China battled to a scoreless draw. With the result, Spain has advanced to the knockout stage — 90 in 90:

• Norway edged South Korea 2-1 — 90 in 90:

• France barely held off Nigeria 1-0 — 90 in 90:

Is Berni on PEDs? (@fcb_basketball)

Look, I don’t want to outright accuse anyone of anything, but this picture of Berni at a recent FC Bayern basketball game, is a stark contrast to the pudgy Berni that we all are far more familiar with.

Now, compare that pic to the one below:

Again, I don’t want to make any accusations, but I’m more than a little curious as to how he made this transformation happen so quickly. After all, the bear has been know to indulge in some nefarious behavior in the past.

Chiesa puts his skill on display (@UEFAUnder21)

Bayern has been linked to Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa and the 21-year-old showed some skill in the UEFA U-21.

Juve mulling creative offer for Zaniolo (Transfer Market Web)

Juventus appears to be closing in on AS Roma attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo and is looking to propose a trade. Specifically, Juve wants to offer Roma both striker Gonzalo Higuain and goalkeeper Mattia Perin for the 19-year-old phenom.

Turning 20 on July 2nd, Italian U-21 and full-side international midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo, according to Tuttosport, is still a main target for Juventus. To this end, Bianconeri are planning to offer AS Roma both Italian international goalkeeper Mattia Perin (26) and Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain (31), hoping it’s enough of the two to make a whole bargaining chip for getting the 1999-born in. Meanwhile, Giallorossi, which recently turned down Tottenham, are still waiting for Zaniolo to say yes to a new long-term.

Both Bayern and Tottenham Hotspur have been linked to Zaniolo over the past few months.

Neymar headed back to Barca? (@Cynegeticus)

After a two-year hiatus, is Neymar headed back to FC Barcelona? Brazilian journalist Paulo Frietas seems to think so.

Mbappe staying put this summer (kicker)

There were stories floating around that Paris Saint-Germain might be willing to sell of mega-star Kylian Mbappe, but those rumors were put to rest:

PSG club boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi has suspended a transfer from superstar Kylian Mbappé this summer. The French world champion had been linked to a move to Real Madrid. “I’m 200 percent sure he’ll be playing for PSG next season,” Al-Khelaifi told France Football.

German U-21s earn victory (@DFB_Team_EN)

Germany’s U-21 team picked up a 3-1 victory over Denmark in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. FC Augsburg’s Marco Richter had two goals and one assist, while SC Freiburg’s Luca Waldschmidt had the other tally.

Schalke 04 goalkeeper Alexander Nubel was between the sticks for Germany, while other notables like RB Leipzig’s Lukas Klostermann, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, Werder Bremen’s Max Eggestein, Borussia Dortmund’s Mahmoud Dahoud, Hertha Berlin’s Arne Maier, and AS Monaco’s Benjamin Henrichs also featured.