Daily Schmankerl: Manchester United wants Dayot Upamecano and Christoph Baumgartner; Parma eyeing Krzysztof Piatek if plan for Bayern Munich’s Joshua Zirkzee fails?; Julian Draxler won’t leave PSG just yet; and MORE!

United will contend on Upamecano and wants Baumgartner as well (@FabrizioRomano)

The competition for RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano could get heated. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Upamecano will not be changing clubs during this window (which was pretty obvious), but he also let it be known that Manchester United will be in the “race” for the 22-year-old when the bidding starts to get hot-and-heavy:

Manchester United also reportedly has its eyes on Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner per The Sun:

MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing a move for Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner. The 21-year-old has been hailed as one of Austria’s biggest talents for years – and is already turning heads in the Bundesliga.

SunSport understands that United have been tracking Baumgartner closely with a view to bringing him to Old Trafford to bolster their attacking options. A bid in the summer is most likely, but with the player’s contract running out in 2023, his current price tag of £16m is only going to increase. And with Hoffenheim’s history of getting good value for money – such as £29m for Roberto Firmino and £40m for Joelinton – Old Trafford chiefs will be expecting tough negotiations.

Several other Premier League sides are also interested, but United are leading the way for the player that has been dubbed the new Michael Ballack. Baumgartner joined Hoffenheim as a 16-year-old in the summer of 2017, and was given his league debut by former coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Bayern Munich fans will get a chance to see if Baumgartner lives up to the hype this weekend.

Parma moving on to Piatek as well? (Transfer Market Web)

Per Sky Sports, Parma has convinced Joshua Zirkzee of its plans for him and the Dutch youngster could be moving to Italy as soon as this weekend. However, should something fall through, it looks like the Italian club could have a contingency plan in Hertha Berlin striker Krzysztof Piatek.

Piatek seems set to part ways with Hertha Berlin and now Parma appears to be putting its hat into the ring:

Recently pursued by Fiorentina, Fulham, and Genoa, Polish international striker Krzysztof Piatek (25), according to Sky Sport Italia, has now been inquired about by Parma. Former AC Milan hitman, however, might end up staying put at Hertha Berlin.

Everton and Parma have long been considered the frontrunners for Zirkzee, with Juventus lurking on the outside. Things could get interesting very quickly.

Draxler won’t be going anywhere just yet (Foot Mercato)

Julian Draxler will ride out his contract with Paris Saint-Germain:

At 27, you might think that the former Schalke 04 player wants to leave the Parisian substitute bench to find a new challenge. But according to information from the Parisians, the player’s entourage would be categorical: Draxler “has a 0% chance of leaving this winter.” He will therefore leave for free next June, at the end of his contract.

Dahoud to Ligue 1? (Transfer Market Web)

AS Monaco and Olympique Marseille are reportedly interested in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud:

Playing for Borussia Dortmund since 2017/18, German international deep-lying midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud (25) has allegedly been targeted by both AS Monaco and Olympique de Marseille. Former ‘Gladbach playmaker is currently on a deal with Bundesliga giants until June 2022, and is worth around 13.5 million euros.

Bayern in on Baah? (Sportslens.com)

Could Bayern Munich be waiting to make a move for Richdale winger Kwadwo Baah?

Maybe, but the Bavarians will have some competition:

According to The Athletic’s Sam Lee, West Ham United and Rangers are both interested in signing Rochdale winger Kwadwo Baah, and the player is ready to seal a move in the next seven days.

He is out of contract in the summer and could join an overseas club for free on February 2, and Rochdale are willing to cash in on him before the January transfer window shuts.

The 18-year-old is also on the radars of Juventus, Bayern Munich and a couple of Championship sides given his huge potential, and he is seriously thinking of the offers from these clubs as he eyes an exit from the League One side.

West Ham have already tabled a bid, and manager David Moyes and Rochdale boss Brian Barry-Murphy have talked about Baah in length.

Add Agoume to the list, too, I guess (@iMiaSanMia)

Inter Milan’s Lucien Agoume could be on Bayern Munich’s watch-list as well: