Daily Schmankerl: Erling Haaland isn’t about money, but path to Bayern Munich might get blocked by Robert Lewandowski; Bayern, Real Madrid, Juventus focusing on Antonio Rüdiger; Timo Werner to Atletico Madrid?; and MORE!

Haaland unconcerned with money, but Lewy could block Bayern move (Daily Express)

In another bit of Erling Haalnd news released by “family friend” and football pundit Jan Age Fjortoft, Erling Haaland might not be opposed to moving to Bayern Munich. In fact, Haaland is — allegedly — less concerned about money than he is about being in a good spot for his career.

The problem, though, is that the presence of Robert Lewandowski could block Haaland from staying in Germany:

Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland looks set to depart the club next summer as the biggest clubs in Europe battle to sign him. The Norway international has a £68million release clause, which means clubs can land Haaland for much less than his market value.

Haaland has been linked with a string of European powerhouses over recent months and could even opt to stay in Germany by signing for Dortmund’s arch-rivals Bayern Munich.

But a move to the south of the country would anger Bayern superstar Robert Lewandowski according to commentator and former Norway international Jan Age Fjortoft, who is said to be friendly with Haaland and his family.

“Haaland is not looking for the money because he never has,” said Fjortoft. “If he goes to Bayern, it is a luxury problem. And Lewandowski will be angry. That sounds difficult.”

The Lewandowski obstacle could pave the way for Haaland to quit German football and move to Manchester United.

Bayern, Madrid sharpening offers for Rüdiger (Daily Express)

It seems like both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid could be getting serious in their respective pursuits of Antonio Rüdiger:

However, the news that one of Chelsea’s star performers, Antonio Rüdiger, will receive lucrative offers that could see him leave the club may dampen spirits.

It has been widely reported that the German defender, whose contract runs out at Stamford Bridge in under 12 months, is struggling to negotiate an extension to his deal due to his increased wage demands.

But now The Athletic has revealed that both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are willing to pay whatever is required to secure the signature of the 28-year-old.

Rudiger is the only member of the Chelsea team to play every minute of Premier League football so far this campaign, which highlights why they are keen to keep him at the club.

Sky is reporting that Rüdiger and Chelsea are not currently talking about a deal — and that Juventus is also ramping up its interest:

According to Sky information, the talks are currently on hold, there should be no decision before January.

And then the Blues are under pressure if they don’t want to let their central defender leave for a free transfer. There are probably enough buyers. In addition to FC Bayern, Juventus Turin in particular has recently tried hard to get Rüdiger.

ICYMI: Bavarian Podcast Works S4E9 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich have completed another week of football without any major incidents, well at least if you don’t include the loss to Eintracht Frankfurt. Now, as club football enters another international break, we here at Bavarian Podcast Works take a look at some promised talking points from the last seven days. Full disclosure: this episode was recorded before the Bayern v Frankfurt game, so it doesn’t take that into account.

In this episode, Ineednoname and Samrin discuss:

• The three-man backline, and why both hate it.
• Addressing the classic “Chelsea use it, why can’t Bayern” argument, and why it doesn’t apply.
• Why Benjamin Pavard is a problem (new arguments this time!!!).
• Have Julian Nagelsmann’s Bayern Munich been challenged yet? (It has, but not when we recorded this)
• Small tangent on goalkeepers, including Manuel Neuer, Gregor Kobel, and ter Stegen.
• Who could pose a decent threat to this team.
• Who are the big threats in the Bundesliga this season.
• How Hansi Flick could line up Germany with the return of Thomas Muller.
• A potential new role for Leroy Sane?

Hatchard isn’t wrong (@kevinhatchard)

Pundit Kevin Hatchard is not wrong when it comes to assessing the recent trend with older players performing at a high-level deeper into their careers:

Sneak peek: Bayern’s Prime Video documentary (@FCBayernEN)

This looks soooooooo good:

ICYMI: Bavarian Podcast Works Postgame Show: Bayern Munich loses 1-2 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich perhaps could have had more and should have had more. Kevin Trapp, as opposition keepers tend to when they play Bayern, had a wonderful game and perhaps will go down as man of the match. Manuel Neuer was no slouch either, helping in build up play, coming to almost the halfway line to stop Frankfurt’s breakaways.

Bayern had more shots (by far) and more possession; Leroy Sané had a good game and put in plenty of effort but could not find the back of the net. Robert Lewandowski was very quiet, marked out of the game. His opposite number in Frankfurt, Rafael Santos Borré was isolated and basically also marked out of the game.

Bayern’s first goal came courtesy of an error by Marin Hinteregger; his pass would deflect off a Bayern player and find its way to Leon Goretzka who would score his first Bundesliga goal of the season. Hinteregger himself would equalize from a corner. Very late on in the game, Filip Kostic would score the winner to hand Frankfurt a first league win of the season.

Mbappe talks through PSG indecision (Sky)

Kylian Mbappe gave some insight into what happened with his failed attempt to leave Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window:

Kylian Mbappe said in an interview with RMC Sport about his failed move from Paris Saint-Germain . Accordingly, the Frenchman informed PSG at the end of July that he wanted to leave the club: “I asked to leave because from the moment I didn’t want to renew, I wanted the club to have a transfer fee, to have a good quality replacement.” And further: “I wanted everyone to grow, to go hand in hand to get a good deal, and I respected that. I said if you don’t want me to go, I’ll stay.”

Mbappe has been linked with Real Madrid in the previous transfer window. His contract with PSG runs until June 2022.

Werner to Atleti? (Transfer Market Web)

Chelsea forward Timo Werner allegedly wants out of London and Atletico Madrid could be among the clubs looking to bring in the Germany international:

Atletico de Madrid’s attack is one of the most complete on the entire European continent. To have a talented scorer like Luis Suarez, a striker like Antoine Griezmann, the class of Joao Felix as second striker, the support of Angel Correa in three quarters of the court, the contributions of Matheus Cunha ... But he wants more.

It is not the position that most needs a reinforcement in the rojiblanco team, but it could come as long as a market opportunity appears that responds to an attacker with a different profile than what is already in the Wanda Metropolitano.

And in that stroke, one of the names that most convinces the mattress sports management is that of Timo Werner, the Chelsea striker who desperately needs a departure from the London capital.

Timo Werner has accumulated more than one season since he arrived at Stamford Bridge and his performance has been well below expectations. The goalscoring levels shown at RB Leipzig have not been equaled and his contribution to the game has been increasingly nil. For Thomas Tuchel he is already clearly a substitute and his departure is getting closer and closer, either to Atleti or to another team.

The German striker is a very fast footballer who could exploit many of the spaces of the attack on the counterattack of the Cholo Simeone. A player whose best version is at the top of the best European strikers and the worst, on the bench of any team aspiring to fight for titles. That is the risk of signing for Atlético de Madrid.

Werner, of course, has also been linked to Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

ICYMI: The Weekend Warm-up Podcast Season 1, Episode 19 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich is looking unstoppable, and grabbed yet another lopsided victory against Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League. Nagelsmann has made all the right moves thus far, and this team looks really formidable and is certainly a treble contender. Yes, the new coach is yet to be tested by elite opposition, but the early signs are very promising.

Bayern face Eintracht Frankfurt at home next, and we can safely expect a win from a team that’s looking overpowered right now.

And on that note, we had quite a lot to discuss on this pod, most of it being quite positive (gasp!). Here are some of the topics we covered:

• Niklas Süle’s incredible form and the WhatsApp fiasco (again).
• Bayern’s superb recent form.
• Sabitzer’s lack of first team action, and what this means for him moving forward.
• More Bouna Sarr banter.
• Coman’s contract situation and whether he stays or leaves.
• Michael Cuisance slander.
• Cobra Kai, Game of Thrones and other stuff.