Daily Schmankerl: Lothar Matthäus criticizes Bayern Munich’s transfer policy; Bayern to target Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos?; Campus comings and goings; Another club wants Joshua Zirkzee; plus MORE!

Lothar questions Bayern’s transfer strategy (Goal)

In the wake of Bayern Munich’s loss to Holstein Kiel, just about everyone has chimed in with an opinion. Lothar Matthäus is no different than anyone else and he has his own idea about the troubles haunting the Bavarians:

Matthäus believes Bayern are paying the price for failing to properly bolster their ranks, with the World Cup winner telling Sky Deutschland: “I have to criticize the buying policy a bit. With Philippe Coutinho, Thiago and Ivan Perisic, you lost three players. They were, of course, important players. They were always there and brought the necessary quality with them. With many newcomers, it may take a certain amount of time to get going or the quality may simply not be there to say: ‘They make the difference’. You knew from the start that it would be a long and difficult season with lots of games. I think that the breadth of the squad in terms of quality is not set up in such a way that you can go through rotation and still maintain the quality.”

Matthäus followed that up with criticism of Bayern Munich’s players:

Matthäus added: “There is a lack of concentration. Perhaps it is also because of the high levels of stress, because of the many games last year, and there was little break. You don’t really have to change the system now, only the position of the system should perhaps be moved a little further back. So that there is not 30 or 35 meters of space between Manuel Neuer and the back four for the opponent to exploit – which is where they keep playing.”

Bayern to target Morelos? Hmmm... (Don Balón)

Well, this would certainly be an outside-the-box candidate to be Robert Lewandowski’s successor. Don Balón is reporting that the Bavarians are kicking the tires on Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos:

We can still enjoy Lewandowski for a while, but unfortunately not much. He is already 32 years old, and his career is nearing its end. In the Allianz Arena they try to find a generational replacement for him, and they would have already identified a star who they see with the same potential and a similar scoring ability. We are talking about Alfredo Morelos, star of Scottish Rangers, leader ahead of Celtic Glasgow, its eternal rival.

Steven Gerrard, his coach, only speaks wonders about his personality and professionalism, and believes that the Colombian international is ready to make the leap to a ‘top’ team.

Sport.de flushed that out a bit:

With Robert Lewandowski, FC Bayern currently has what is probably the best player in the world. But how are the people of Munich preparing for life after Lewandowski? The 32-year-old still has a contract with the German champions until summer 2023. It is almost impossible that the exceptional Polish striker will appear for another club in the next two and a half years. When asked about Lewandowski’s successor, Bayern are said to be looking abroad already. Alfredo Morelos of Glasgow Rangers is considered to be a candidate.

Uh...I’ll hold out for Erling Haaland.

Zirkzee has another suitor (@FabrizioRomano)

We heard yesterday that Everton was courting Joshua Zirkzee, but Fabrizio Romano says Parma is also in the mix:

Odriozola on the move again? (Football Italia)

The undisputed GOAT, Alvaro Odriozola, could be on the move once again.

According to Sky Sport, Fiorentina are in talks to sign Real Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola on loan until the end of the season. The 25-year-old returned to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer after a one-year loan spell at Bayern Munich where he won the treble.

Odriozola has only played one game so far this season, but despite his lack of game time he is not willing to leave Real Madrid, reports Sky Sport. Fiorentina are in talks with the player’s agent, but the Spaniard insists he doesn’t want to leave Real in the January transfer window and wants to stay at the club trying to get more game time.

Despite that, talks between the Serie A giants and Odriozola’s representatives are ongoing, with the Tuscans hoping to convince the former Bayern Munich defender. Fiorentina need to sign a new right-back after Pol Lirola’s move to Marseille.

No respect...

Who’s in and who’s out on the Bayern Munch campus (@FCBjuniorteam)

How Swede it is (sorry, Marcus) as Alex Timossi Andersson returned to Bayern Munich’s campus after a loan stint with Helsingborgs IF.

Winger Alex Timossi #Andersson has returned from his six-month loan from Helsingborgs IF and is back in training with the team.#FCBAmateure

Can Karatas, however, is leaving the campus in favor of SG Sonnenhof Großaspach:

Can #Karatas leaves the #FCBAmateure and moves to the Regionalliga Südwest for SG Sonnenhof Großaspach. All the best for the future, dear Can! #MiaSanMia

Meyer bolts Palace (@CPFC)

I think it’s safe to say that Max Meyer’s move to Crystal Palace was not good idea:

On a free transfer, Meyer is certainly worth at least a look for some Bundesliga clubs.