Daily Schmankerl: Bayer Leverkusen sets a nine-figure price tag on Kai Havertz; Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho are among the top playmakers in Europe; and MORE!

Leverkusen won’t put Havertz on the discount rack (Transfer Market Web)

Bayer Leverkusen is already floating an expectation on the kind of bid it wants for Germany international Kai Havertz:

According to latest UK rumors, Bayer Leverkusen management, inquired by many clubs around about German international attacking midfielder Kai Havertz (20), confirmed the 100 million euros cash demand set upon him, as well as their will to keep the 1999-born in at least until current season’s over. Havertz is tracked, among many ones, by Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United, and Chelsea.

With so many clubs knocking on its door, Leverkusen is letting it be known that it will be keeping Havertz through the 2019-2020 season and that it wants €100 million (or more) for the 20-year-old star. While that is not exactly breaking news, it does show that Bayern Munich might not necessarily the favorite to land Havertz any longer as many clubs are inquiring on the youngster.

Also, Dortmund’s Julian Brandt apparently spent some quality time with his old buddy yesterday:

Let the bidding begin.

Sancho and Kimmich leading the pack as playmakers (@AlexChaffer)

There have been no better playmakers in Europe than Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich since the start of the 2018-2019 season. Sancho has 18 assists in that time, while Kimmich has 16:

Brandt doing hard time? (Instagram — @julianbrandt)

Why does Julian Brandt look like he’s doing the tail-end of a 10-year stint at Rikers Island for holding up a liquor store when he was 13?

Bayern honored with Reusable Award (FCBayern.com)

Bayern Munich’s has once again been recognized for its commitment to sustainability as it received the “Reusable Award.” What is that you ask? Well, here is the summary:

FC Bayern München has been honored with the Reusable Award for the European REUSE Conference for its reusable cup conversion at home matches in the Allianz Arena. The organizers - that is the German Environmental Aid (DUH), the European Association of beverage wholesalers (CEGROBB), the Association of Private Brewers Germany and the Reloop platform - have awarded the prize for the first time. The aim is to reward sustainable solutions that protect the climate and strengthen the principle of reusable packaging as a social standard.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge talked over the honor:

The Allianz Arena occupies a special position as an environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art sports venue in national and international top football. Since 2006, our sustainably-operated stadium has been audited annually in accordance with the strictest guidelines in Europe - the EMAS regulation. We are in the process of creating a new package of sustainability goals and projects to further strengthen our environmental and social skills. I am delighted that FC Bayern München’s commitment to environmental protection in Brussels has been rewarded with an award.

ICYMI: The Allianz Arena will host the UCL finale in 2022 (Bavarian Football Works)

The Allianz Arena will play host to the Champions League final in 2022: