Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich assessing Thomas Partey, a “new Lewandowski,” Paulo Dybala, and close to signing Perisic

Bayern Munich evaluating Thomas Partey (Modern Ghana)

Bayern Munich may be considering Thomas Teye Partey, a defensive midfielder who plays for Atletico Madrid, as a potential replacement for Javi Martinez. Modern Ghana writes,

It is understood that his employers understood [Martinez] has reached a point where he might not be able to play with the same energy he used to and believe it is time to bring in a long term replacement.

Bayern Munich has identified Thomas Partey as one of the few players with the quality to replace Javi Martinez.

The Bavarians are weighing their options as they consider making an official bid when the summer transfer window comes around.

Bayern is obviously not in any hurry to make a decision. The transfer market is too uncertain, and even though Javi is on the wrong side of 30, an extension has not yet been ruled out. Partey is under contract until 2023 and his release clause is €50 million, but Atletico would like him to sign an extension that would double it.

Bayern Munich and Inter close to finalizing Perisic deal (Sportske Novosti)

A Croatian source claims that “Bayern and Inter are close to a transfer agreement: Perisic is a very cost-effective option, and the amount will be very affordable.” The Croatians report that Bayern is very happy with Perisic’s performance (5 goals and 8 assists in 22 games) and his personal conduct.

They estimate that Bayern could sign him under new terms for €10-15 million or in a deal involving Corentin Tolisso, as previously reported.

It’s also nice to hear what they think of the club and why it would be a win-win-win-win, including Bayern, Inter, Perisic himself, and the Croatian national team:

Bayern is one of Europe’s largest clubs, constantly contending for the title in domestic and European competition. It is fantastically organized, and life in this city is of high quality. If there is a final agreement in the Inter-Bayern-Perisic triangle, it will be a big plus for the national team in connection with the upcoming European Championship.

Personally, we’re all for keeping Ivan another year!

Bayern and other top clubs scouting “new Lewandowski” (SempreMilan)

What 17-year-old striker isn’t the new Lewandowski these days? According to a rather sketchy report supposedly originating with TUTTOmercatoWEB but taken instead from MilanLive.it (and I couldn’t track down the original), Bayern and six other big clubs are battling for young Polish striker Aleksander Buksa.

Buksa has scored three goals in 14 appearances for Wisla Krakow, and the other clubs evaluating him are supposedly Barcelona, Inter, Atalanta, Roma, and Sassuolo.

Paulo Dybala the next James Rodriguez Coutinho? (tuttosport?)

Continuing our theme of sketchy transfer rumors, the good folks at @iMiaSanMia tweeted that Bayern is “preparing an approach” for Argentinian star Paulo Dybala.

Why so sketchy, you ask? Well, not only can I not find the story on tuttosport.it, but the only sites that have it are GhanaSoccerNet and FCBinside.de, which is basically a German Bayern blog.

And that’s quite besides the fact that Bayern really has no need for a Dybala, whether on the right wing or as second striker.

Sports ministers support resuming the season in mid-May (kicker)

The conference of sports ministers in Germany (SMK) has declared in favor of resuming the Bundesliga season in mid-May at the earliest.

That is good news for the DFL, which is working with the German government on a plan to finish the season with ghost games. One representative said,

“The SMK still views the continuation of games in the Bundesliga in front of empty stands as feasible from mid or late May. The DFL must create, implement, and review with adequate measures the most stringent hygienic and medical conditions to do so.”

Arjen Robben admits he flirted with a comeback (AZ)

Arjen Robben has admitted on Bayern Munich’s podcast that he toyed with the idea of coming back to play again:

“In the beginning, I didn’t miss soccer at all. Then there was a phase in which I had the itch again and thoughts like, ‘Hey, maybe I would like to play a bit more after all,” Robben said.

“Now and then I still get this feeling,” he admitted. “I simply have to play sports. It’s in me — and you can’t get it out again.”

But Robben doesn’t have any real plans. With his newfound free time, he hasn’t even watched every Bayern game since retiring. He said, “I’ve missed lots of games. I simply was busy. I never could plan anything privately before; now I can.”

What he might do — besides coaching his son’s team at Grünwald — is anyone’s guess. “I don’t have anything specific in mind,” Robben said.

Player’s father dies of COVID-19 in 3.Liga (kicker)

The father of a player for SV Waldhof Mannheim passed away of the coronavirus a few weeks ago. Mannheim stated that “This was the decisive reason” why the club is in favor of ending the season immediately. Other clubs in the 3.Liga are divided basically according to whether they are within striking distance of promotion or relegation, as our own Davis VanOpdorp put it:

And of course there’s Bayern II — who support continuing even though they cannot win promotion.

At home with the Müllers

Lisa puts Thomas through his paces:

And how to stay busy at home:

Oh hey, that’s just Manuel Neuer training in his back yard