Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich to battle Manchester United for Marcel Sabitzer?; Juan Bernat to extend with PSG?; Flick pics; Manchester City’s 10-year plan for Leo Messi; and MORE!

Bayern targeting Sabitzer? (The Hard Tackle)

Bayern Munich’s midfield seems pretty jam-packed, but that has not stopped at least one report from stating that the Bavarians are set to do battle with Manchester United for RB Leipzig star midfielder Marcel Sabitzer:

According to footballer turned reputed journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft, Manchester United are closely following Marcel Sabitzer over a possible move in the future. The 26-year-old RB Leipzig midfielder is also the subject of interest from Bayern Munich.

Sabitzer does appear to be a viable target for Manchester United and could be used by the Red Devils in one of two ways. Capable of playing through the middle or on the right-wing, Sabitzer could solve a couple of issues for the Premier League heavyweights.

In midfield, Sabitzer could be a long-term replacement for Paul Pogba, whose future at Manchester United is highly uncertain. With Nemanja Matic on the wrong side of 30, it looks like United might be forced to enter the transfer market sometime in the future, unless James Garner is inculcated within the first-team setup, considering they already have Donny van de Beek in the squad.

Sabitzer is great, but I can’t imagine Bayern Munich is ready to add another star-level player into an overcrowded position.

Bernat confident in PSG extension (Get French Football News)

Former Bayern Munich left-back Juan Bernat has carved out a nice little career for himself with Paris Saint-Germain and is looking to extend his stay in France (despite rumors that he might leave):

“If I want to sign an extension? Yes, yes. We are talking about the contract, the negotiations are ongoing, but for the moment nothing is done,” Bernat said to AFP (as captured by Get French Football News). “I think that they will conclude positively. I have always said that I was very happy in Paris, I want to stay here for several years. But it is also true that I would like to play again, one day, I don’t know when, in La Liga. It is the league of my country and I have not been able to enjoy it that much.”

Flick pic is straight fire (@IHeartHansi2)

Not sure how this Twitter user got this pic, but it...is...tremendous:

I just wish we could see if Flick had a “business in the front, part in the back” mullet going on there. I can’t quite make it out.

Haaland is still smashing everyone (@ChampionsLeague)

Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland added two more goals to his tally yesterday in his club’s 3-0 victory over Club Brugge:

So yeah...let’s make this happen.

City’s 10-year plan for Messi (Bild)

While Pep Guardiola might want to see Lionel Messi finish his career with FC Barcelona, his bosses have a different idea per a report:

In the summer, superstar Lionel Messi (33) wanted to leave FC Barcelona. England club Manchester City were considered a big favorite to sign the Argentine. But the deal failed because Messi wanted to avoid a lengthy legal battle with the Catalans.

But the Messi contract with Barça ends next summer. What this means: From January 1st, the six-time world footballer can negotiate with other clubs without the permission of his club. And as the English newspaper “The Times” reports, Manchester City are already working on a plan to bring Messi over.

Accordingly, the club and its parent company, City Football Group (CFG), want to sign Messi for ten years. The plan provides that after his playing at Manchester City, Messi can move to another club in the company, such as New York City FC to the MLS, to end his career there. He would then continue to work for the CFG as a kind of “ambassador.”

I’m sure that would be a financially insane deal for Messi, but is he motivated to have to work that long? He’s sort of earned the right — and also has more than enough cash — to just retire without being paraded around as an ambassador.

Kovac earns honor (@AS_Monaco_EN)

I hope somewhere they are blaring 99 Luftballoons and AS Monaco manager Niko Kovac is singing along to celebrate: