Daily Schmankerl: Gareth Bale headed to China?; Updates on Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner, Arsenal’s Xavier Amaechi, Lille’s Nicolas Pepe; and MORE Bayern Munich news!

Bale to China? (The Guardian)

Real Madrid star and Wales international Gareth Bale looks like he’s headed to China. Exiled to the doghouse by Zinedine Zidane, Bale has been rumored to be on his way out since Zidane was brought back into power.

Gareth Bale is close to completing a move to a Chinese club Jiangsu Suning that will see the Welshman earn close to £1m (€1.1m) per week, according to reports.

Unquestionably, Bale will have to make some adjustments to his lifestyle if he has finalized his move to China, but making €57 million per year might ease the transition.

It should be noted that the Daily Mail is saying that Bale’s deal is only worth a paltry €22 million per season.

Los Blancos now may keep James (Daily Mail)

Real Madrid’s lofty plans to get rid of James Rodriguez hit a snag when Marco Asensio shredded his ACL in the United States during the International Champions Cup tour. Now, Zinedine Zidane’s alleged disdain for James might not even be enough reason for the club to unload the Colombia international.

James Rodriguez is likely to remain at Real Madrid this season after the club lost Marco Asensio to an ACL injury and agreed to let Gareth Bale join Jiangsu Suning. The Colombian, who joined the club in 2014 and spent the last two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich, had appeared set to leave for Napoli or Atlético Madrid.

Bayern closing in on Amaechi? (The Sun)

After failing to land Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi (that move was never really happening was it?), Bayern has reportedly turned its attention to Arsenal youth player Xavier Amaechi.

Arsenal are set to lose academy star Xavier Amaechi on a permanent transfer to Germany with Bayern Munich eyeing up the youngster. English star Jadon Sancho, as well as Gunners duo Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith-Rowe, have all enjoyed first-team football in the Bundesliga.

Sky Sports News claim an unnamed German side are set to make Amaechi the latest Englishman to join the league. The Gunners starlet is yet to extend his Emirates deal with the club opening discussions this month. But with Amaechi’s deal set to expire at the end of the season, the 18-year-old is eyeing an Emirates exit.

Here is a little highlight video on Amaechi:

Bayern eyeing Belgian starlet Ndayishimiye (De Gelderlander)

According to Dutch outlet De Gelderlander, Bayern Munich is interest in 20-year-old NEC Nijmegen winger Mike Trésor Ndayishimiye, who had six goals in 27 appearances last season. Ndayishimiye’s current deal with Nijmegen runs through 2021. Juventus, Liverpool and AS Monaco are also allegedly interest in the former Anderlecht youth academy player.

Ndayishimiye still has a contract until the summer of 2021 in De Goffert. A transfer fee for the technical striker, who can also manage in midfield, could help NEC to close the gap in the budget. The club did not respond to requests for comment.

Looking for some footage of Ndayishimiye? Here you go:

More Werner denials (@kessler_philipp)

Yesterday’s report that RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner had an “imminent” move to Bayern Munich forthcoming has been refuted by multiple sources now as Bild journalist Philipp Kessler also said there has been no movement on the Werner situation.

There is nothing on it. Currently there is no movement. #FCBayern#Werner

Goal also jumped into the fray with a quote from Werner’s agent Karl-Heinz Foster:

Sport1 had captured a quote that RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann gave to Sky Sports regarding the rumor:

I’m not an employee of the Südwest Presse, so I do not know where they got the rumors.

Finally, kicker offered an update on what might really be going on:

Timo Werner and his future at RB Leipzig - an issue that has dragged on for months. The national striker still has not accepted the offer of the Saxons over a contract extension. Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has just recently expressed the wish that a decision should fall in the “Causa Werner” even before the league start. Now, sport director Markus Krösche announced a “timely decision.” The clubs are therefore in “very good talks” with the attacker.

Gunners closing in on Pepe? (@SkySportsNews)

Arsenal could be jumping over Napoli and close to landing a deal for Lille winger Nicolas Pepe.

Pep has fallen in love with Foden (@Goal)

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is head-over-heels on Phil Foden.

Real Madrid is confident it can land Pogba (ESPN)

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba is rumored to want to leave England and Los Blancos would be happy to give him a new home; but at what price?

Real Madrid are increasingly confident they could sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United this summer, sources at the Bernabeu have told ESPN FC. Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane is keen to land Pogba, although club president Florentino Perez has needed convincing after spending over €300 million on new players already this summer.

Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola both publicly pressed for a move away from United earlier this summer, although more recently, the World Cup winner’s attitude has been praised by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the team’s preseason tour of Asia. Perez told Zidane during a meeting in Montreal last week that it would be “difficult” to sign Pogba this summer given that United do not want to sell. Zidane then asked Perez and director general Jose Angel Sanchez to make another effort and now Madrid sources have said that, although United are holding out for €180m, there is a feeling they can find an agreement.

Arp gives first interview (YouTube — FC Bayern)

All aboard! Fiete Arp gave his first interview with the club. #ArpTrain