Daily Schmankerl: Rodri details why he chose Manchester City over Bayern Munich; Real Madrid and Juventus set to battle for Manchester United’s Paul Pogba; Mario Mandzukic to Borussia Dortmund?; and MORE!

Rodri gives blunt response on why he chose Man City (Sport Bild)

Newly minted Manchester City defensive-midfielder Rodrigo “Rodri” Hernandez said that once he found out that Pep Guardiola was interested in him, there really was no transfer battle between City and Bayern Munich.

For me, there were no other options after I learned that City is interested. I have never doubted the decision. In this team, some of the best players in the world and then there is of course still Pep Guardiola.

Bayern is getting dangerously close to being known as the leverage club that players use to request higher wages from the team where they really want to be.

Atleti offers ice-cold response to Barca as Griezmann transfer turns into a fiasco (AtleticoMadrid.com)

Things are absolutely frosty between FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid regarding the circumstances and behavior by Barca during its recruitment of France World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann.

Check out this official statement from Atleti.

BFW Summary: Atlético Madrid is irate that Griezmann chose to negotiate with Barca when Atelti was battling Juventus in the Champions League. Barca made the situation worse by asking if it could delay the payment of the transfer fee for Griezmann. Atlético Madrid offered a pretty clear “No” and is now saying that Griezmann must adhere to his current deal and show up at team training tomorrow.

Dortmund still looking at Mandzukic? (Transfer Market Web)

Is Borussia Dortmund looking to make one more big move this summer? BVB allegedly has its eyes on Juventus star and former Bayern Munich man Mario Mandzukic.

Unsure about keeping on playing for Juventus to date, after four seasons, former Croatian international striker Mario Mandzukic (33), according to Tuttosport, is still tracked by Borussia Dortmund, in search for a Paco Alcacer alternate hitman. Former Atletico and Bayern forward, who turned down some Chinese proposals, is still on a deal with Bianconeri until June 2021.

I love the moves that Dortmund has made so far this summer and adding Mandzukic would be yet another quality pick-up. Mats Hummels, Julian Brandt, Thorgan Hazard, and Nico Schulz certainly already represent a big influx in talent to BVB.

Los Blancos and Juve to battle for Pogba (kicker)

Manchester United star Paul Pogba is almost assuredly leaving England this summer, but where he lands remains up for debate. Both Real Madrid and Juventus are hot in pursuit of the 26-year-old, but both will have to get creative to land the star midfielder.

Paul Pogba (26) wants to leave Manchester United this summer. Mino Raiola told The Times: “Everybody in the club knows Paul’s wishes and his desire to move on, and we’re in the process of doing that.” Pogba (contract until 2021 plus option for another year) has sat out the first week of training at United by agreement; he has been associated with Real Madrid for some time. A transfer to Real would not be cheap; United is reported to want more than the €105 million that it paid Turin in 2016. According to Spanish media reports, Real wants to try to get another player involved in the deal. The alleged first offer for Pogba: €80 million plus Gareth Bale or Isco.

The names of Bale and Isco have been thrown around a ton this summer. It would seem as if both players might want to start to open up about a future outside of Madrid.

ICYMI: The latest podcast has dropped! (Bavarian Football Works)

Give the latest episode of Bavarian Podcast Works a listen. Sure, I didn’t take part, but that should probably an incentive to give the boys a bit of your time as they break down the Women’s World Cup. Jake, Tom, and Marcus do a phenomenal job in talking about the action over in France.

Robben is the reigning king of Bundesliga left-footed goals (@OptaFranz)

Since the 2004-2005 season when the Bundesliga started keeping the stat, Arjen Robben has amassed the most left-footed goals.

Just imagine if he got “style points.”

Higuain the chip to help Juve land Zaniolo? (Transfer Market Web)

Some are theorizing that a move by Gonzalo Higuain to AS Roma would help give Juventus the upper-hand in landing Roma starlet Nicolo Zaniolo. Zaniolo, of course, is a player who Bayern Munich has had eyes on.

According to latest Italian news, Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain (31) is getting closer and closer to join AS Roma. Giallorossi, if El Pipita joins in, are saving Juventus an upper hand on future Nicolò Zaniolo’s sale.

Falk flexes yet again (@cfbayern)

There is not much better than a good Falk Flex. This time, Sport Bild chief Christian Falk is confirming that Robert Lewandowski will extend his current deal with Bayern Munich.