Daily Schmankerl: Manchester United and Liverpool eyeing Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala; A Bavarian Grass Works mini; Thomas Tuchel to Hertha Berlin?; Real Madrid’s Martin Ødegaard to Arsenal?; and MORE!

English clubs eyeing big Musiala move (ESPN)

It has been a whirlwind period of rumors surrounding Bayern Munich phenom Jamal Musiala. First, it seemed as if Musiala was a shoe-in to extend his deal with the Bavarians into a professional contract. Then we heard whispers that Musiala’s asking price for a compensation package was causing Bayern Munich to balk.

Then, we were told that was all nonsense.

And now, here we are...”HERE THE (BLEEP) WE ARE” — as Rex Ryan once belted out on an episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks. Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly readying proposals for the 17-year-old budding star in the event there is an issue between the player and Bayern Munich:

German Bundesliga clubs are becoming a real hotbed of young English talent and Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala is the latest. Musiala, 17, signed for Bayern in July 2019 after leaving Chelsea’s Academy and has featured for the first team 21 times so far this campaign.

However, the England Under-21 star is in negotiations over a new contract as he’s still on a youth wage. Musiala’s deal expires in 18 months and he reportedly wants a new one at around €100,000-a-week. If he can’t agree to extend his stay in Munich then Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in signing him, according to the Daily Express.

Bild, however, is saying that Musiala won’t be going anywhere and that he is going to get that mega-deal that we’ve all heard about.

Bavarian Grass Works Mini Edition: Leeds to ditch worn out pitch (@PhilHay_)

What a season it has been for Leeds United.

And we aren’t even talking about their failed acquisition of Michaël Cuisance or even its relatively decent showing so far in the Premier League — we are focused on its grass.

With its surface worn down — some would say Leeds United has spent the season ‘taxing that grass’ — the English club has brought in a replacement surface (aka sloppy seconds) to keep things together until it can make a full replacement this summer:

A brand-spanking-new pitch you say?

Tuchel to Hertha? (Football Transfers)

Is Thomas Tuchel an aspiring renovation contractor? He might need to be if this commentary on his ability to take over Hertha Berlin comes to fruition (excerpted):

Why would Tuchel move to Hertha? While Hertha have largely been little more than a yo-yo Bundesliga side for the past 10 years, the Berlin side have recently become the main interest of one of Germany’s richest men, Lars Windhorst.

While there has been little speculation – never mind any genuine proof – that Hertha could turn to Tuchel if they move on from Labbadia, it would make some sense. With Windhorst’s money, Hertha may be able to convince the former Dortmund and PSG manager that the Berlin club share his own ambitions of winning major titles in Germany and Europe all while likely paying him the kind of wages he undoubtedly got used to in Paris.

It would be intriguing to see Tuchel take over a club that has some decent financial backing in Germany and to also see if he could make something out of what looks like nothing. The Hertha Berlin roster has absolutely disappointed this season.

Martin Ødegaard to the Gunners? (@FabrizioRomano)

It looks more and more like Real Madrid midfielder Martin Ødegaard will leave Spain for Arsenal. The move is expected to be a loan assignment:

Ødegaard, of course, had once caught the eye of former Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola, who wanted to bring the player to Bavaria:

In an odd way, he likely would have still been better off at Bayern Munich even with the club’s seemingly never-ending logjam in the midfield.

Haaland not happy with losing (@Bundesliga_EN)

This is not an especially easy time to be a Borussia Dortmund fan, but Erling Haaland is a wonder to watch during every match day. After his squad’s loss to Borussia Monchengladbach, Haaland said it was “awful to lose”:

Haaland, of course, picked up a brace in the 4-2 loss.