Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich CEO denies interest in AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali; Tanner Tessmann changes plans after US U-23 invite; Julian Draxler to Arsenal?; and MORE!

Rummenigge denies Tonali pursuit (SempreMilan)

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge denied that this club was hot after Sandro Tonali before the 20-year-old joined AC Milan on a loan deal from Brescia. AC Milan has an option to buy Tonali in June, which most expect it to exercise.

In news that would be new to a lot of folks, Bayern Munich was reportedly in the running, a claim that Rummenigge denied:

“No, we have not talked about him also because I think that young players for the first years of their careers should stay in their own country. When they go abroad too early, many are unable to settle down,” [Rummenigge] said (on the Italian talk show Tiki Taka via Calciomercato.com).

Tessmann not expected at Bayern just yet (3rd Degree)

The website 3rd Degree is “The Independent FC Dallas & North Texas Soccer Site Featuring The Latest News and Analysis,” and it was all over the story of FC Dallas players coming to train with Bayern Munich.

We had already heard that Tanner Tessmann would be flying to Germany for some training, but he will not be alone. In fact, a full group of Dallas players will be on their way to Säbener Straße.

3rd Degree reported the following:

According to a source, SIX (see update) FC Dallas players are headed to Bayern Munich on Wednesday for the now annual Homegrown training stint at the German giants: Edwin Cerrillo, Justin Che, Thomas Roberts, Dante Sealy, and Brandon Servania.

Update (1/5 1:58 pm): My source came back to say Ricardo Pepi is also going to Bayern Munich. So it’s now six player going.

This will be the 4th trip over for Roberts, the 2nd for Cerrillo and Servania, and the 1st trip for Che and Sealy. Sealy has previously trained at PSV and Villareal. Roberts just had a two-week stint at Hibernian in Scotland.

Missing from the list we’ve been given is Tanner Tessmann who was reported as going to Bayern to train by ESPN. It has been speculated by many people that Tessmann might be involved in the upcoming US U23 camp – potentially with Jesus Ferreira and Ricardo Pepi – and that might explain Tessmann’s omission at this time.

Update: Ferreira, Reynolds, and Tessmann named to US U23 camp.

Big thanks to loyal reader Alh_maryam for sending this over!

Later, Bayern Munich made everything formal with their own announcement:

This, of course, is the very same path that Chris Richards took before he joined the club.

Draxler to Arsenal? (Squawka)

If feels like Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler has been linked to Arsenal multiple times over the years, and it appears that we have another story to add to that list:

Julian Draxler has been linked with Arsenal while Emiliano Buendia is reportedly ready to push for a move to the club as Mikel Arteta continues his search for a playmaker in the January Transfer Window. It wouldn’t be a transfer window if Arsenal weren’t linked with Draxler, would it? France Football claim the Gunners are back in for the 27 -year-old.

Buendia is another reported target but Arteta must cut his squad down to size before looking to add anyone this month. Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to be considering a shortlist of possible managerial candidates despite suggestions Frank Lampard will be given more time to turn the situation around.

You know how I feel about this subject.

Lewy can do it all (Instagram — fcbayern)

Imagine Bayern Munich is in a do-or-die situation protecting a one-goal lead when the opposition is awarded a penalty. Unfortunately, Hansi Flick is out of subs and Manuel Neuer has an Eric Dier moment. Who does Flick turn to?

The answer? Robert Lewandowski:

Nice of him to autograph the ball!

Goat leading the way with Madrid (@alvaroodriozola)

You know what I call this pic? Chasing greatness.

Rabiot available again (Transfer Market Web)

Juventus is reportedly ready to make midfielder Adrien Rabiot available:

While Federico Bernardeschi and Sami Khedira are each on his way out, Juventus management, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, are ready to start talks over handing out French international midfielder Adrien Rabiot (25), as long as proper bids are submitted.

Playing for Bianconeri since 2019/20, former PSG playmaker was tracked by a bunch of clubs around, including Arsenal, Leicester City, and Barcelona FC. Still on a deal with Italian giants until June 2023, Rabiot is worth around 25 million euros.

At one point, Bayern Munich was interested in Rabiot, but things have likely changed since then.