Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich’s Hansi Flick wants David Alaba to take responsibility for negotiations; Thomas Müller back to Germany?; Cristiano Ronaldo back to Real Madrid?; Dayot Upamecano to Manchester United?: and MORE!

Flick wants Alaba more involved in negotiations (Goal)

Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick understands the precarious situation that David Alaba is in regarding his contract negotiations. That said, Flick would love to see Alaba take ownership of the process.

“David should take responsibility and decide for himself what is important to him,” Flick told Die Welt (as captured by Goal). “David is a very fine person and a brilliant football player. He is very popular with the team and holds them together.”

The message was clear: Alaba should think about what he wants rather than relying on outside forces that are currently guiding him.

Ronaldo back to Madrid? (Transfer Market Web)

Could Cristiano Ronaldo leave Juventus...to go back to Real Madrid? At least one report thinks that could be happening:

According to Marca, Portuguese star winger/forward Cristiano Ronaldo (35) called Real Madrid owner, Florentino Perez, in order to start discussing a move-back scenario with him, despite having left Merengues, almost two years and a half ago, not in perfectly good terms with the club. So far, however, Juventus player is quite unlikely to join Spanish giants back, due to the latter not being able to afford his current wage, on the account of fiscal matters.

Müller still open to Die Mannschaft? (Goal)

Despite how unlikely it appears to be under Joachim Löw, Thomas Müller Thomas Muller has not ruled a return to international play for Germany. After the team’s blowout loss to Spain, Müller put down his soup and reflected on the situation with Sky (as captured by Goal).

“That certainly hurts. Of course, you suffer for your team-mates in the club, with the players you know, with whom you have played - and also a little with the spectators,” said Müller. “As I said, none of us (Müller, Jerome Boateng, and Mats Hummels) has resigned.”

With Löw finally under some fire — and a roster of players clearly not good enough — maybe the 60-year-old manager will put his pride aside and relent.

Probably not...but we can always hope.

By order of...(@FCBayernUS)

What does it look like when two of your favorite things blend together (well, two favorite if you are Tom Adams and myself anyway)?

You know Kimmich would be a perfect fit as one of the Peaky Blinders.

Upamecano causes social stir over liking United post (Sky Sports)

RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano just thrust Manchester United firmly into the transfer rumors surrounding him just by liking the post below:

Dayot Upamecano is one of the most sought-after central defenders. The Leipzig star is still under contract with the Saxons until 2023 — but speculations about a summer transfer to a top European club have not stopped. Upamecano is now fueling the rumors via Instagram itself. The 22-year-old put his thumb up under a post from a United fan page. The post says Manchester United would like to offer the Frenchman a long-term deal this summer. It remains to be seen whether Upamecano feels very honored or whether he actually wants to switch to the Red Devils.

Pep wants to see Messi end career with Barca (kicker)

Despite multiple reports to the contrary, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would like to see Lionel Messi finish his career with FC Barcelona:

Since Pep Guardiola extended Manchester City to 2023 on Thursday, fans have been dreaming of a free transfer from Lionel Messi (33) next summer. Guardiola did not want to participate in the speculation on Friday. “As a Barcelona fan, I want him to end his career there,” said the coach of his ex-protégé. “I don’t know what’s going on in his head but he’s a Barça player right now.” The summer transfer window is “only half in your head” at Man City.

And here is a quick hit guest spot from RLD:

The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends away from Red Bull (derStandard)

A decade ago, midfield Jakob Jantscher was a struggling young player under contract to Red Bull Salzburg, who decided to cut him loose. After kicking around a bunch of lower league clubs trying to make his living at the sport he loves he ended up as Transfermarkt likes to call it “without club.” Eventually he caught back on with his boyhood club Sturm Graz, and came off the bench to help them shock Salzburg in the Austrian cup final in overtime in 2018. Yesterday the worm turned fully when the 31-year-old scored a brace for Sturm Graz to put the energy drink advertising platform to the sword.

How do we know he is a great guy? Because he is represented by Chuck Smith’s favorite sports agents, Grass is Green.

Photo by Chris Bauer/SEPA.Media /Getty Images

—RLD