Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman eyed by Chelsea and FC Barcelona; Christian Eriksen eyeing return to Ajax?; Jahn Regensburg’s pursuit of Erling Haaland (!?); Harry Kane to stay with Tottenham Hotspur?; and MORE!

Chelsea, Barca lead the way on Coman (Sport Bild)

Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman has been on fire since returning from his latest injury. The Frenchman has been an absolute menace for the opposition to deal with and other clubs are taking notice as his exit from Bavaria seems more likely.

Specifically, FC Barcelona and Chelsea are interested in Coman:

The pressure on sports director Hasan Salihamidzic (44) is great. Coman’s advisors are said to be considering the option of letting his contract expire so that Coman can move free of charge. The advantage of this would be that the French international could secure a lot of hand money from his new club.

The top clubs are watching the development very closely. At FC Barcelona, Coman is talked about, as well as at FC Chelsea.

For the Bavarians, the scenario of a transfer-free departure would be the GAU with Coman’s current market value of 55 million euros (source: transfermarkt.de). And this would repeat what happened last summer with David Alaba (29): Bayern let the talks with Alaba’s advisors, father George (61) and Pini Zahavi (78) burst, because they had made excessive demands. A strong, but also extremely expensive sign: Alaba also had a market value of 55 million, but then went free on a transfer.

Coman’s talent is undeniable, but his salary request (anywhere from €16 million to €20 million depending on what you believe) might make him too rich for Bayern Munich’s blood.

Eriksen eyeing return to pitch...and Ajax (Sport1)

After a scary incident this summer at the Euros, Christian Eriksen is eyeing a return to the pitch — it just might not be with Inter Milan:

Christian Eriksen is currently still under contract with the Italian champions Inter Milan. The 30-year-old has been out of action since the European Championship due to a cardiac arrest. Eriksen now lives with a defibrillator close to his heart. According to the latest reports from Italy, Eriksen will no longer appear for Inter because the regulation in Italy does not allow playing with a defibrillator.

Eriksen is now expressing himself because the Dane is not thinking of quitting. According to the Italian Corriere dello Sport, Eriksen is open to a return to his ex-club Ajax Amsterdam. In the Netherlands, players are allowed to play with cardiac support. Amsterdam already hosts one such player. Former Dutch international Danny Blind also plays with a defibrillator. Eriksen played for Ajax Amsterdam from 2009-2013. At Inter, Eriksen still has a contract until 2024.

ICYMI: Bavarian Podcast Works: Preview Show — Bayern Munich vs. SC Freiburg (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich will be back in action this weekend after trouncing Benfica in the UEFA Champions League. Facing them will be the Bundesliga’s only team yet to have faced defeat, SC Freiburg. Christian Streich would undoubtedly have a trick or two up his sleeve against Nagelsmann’s Bayern, and will be hoping that his well-drilled Freiburg, who sit comfortably at 3rd place in the Bundesliga table are able to cause the Bavarians some problems.

This will be a tactical battle of the highest caliber and will be yet another important test in Nagelsmann’s first season. Here are the key points covered in the podcast:

• My love for Freiburg and why they are so good
• A big test for Nagelsmann Bayern
• The forms of both teams heading into the fixture
• Key players and predicted lineups
• A final scoreline prediction

Jahn Regensburg’s inquiry on Haaland elicited laughter (Sky)

Well...give Jahn Regensburg managing director Christian Keller credit for trying:

Erling Haaland at SSV Jahn Regensburg? The long-time managing director of the Upper Palatinate, Christian Keller, even bravely asked the Norwegian soccer striker once in the past.

“We’re scouting in Austria. We saw Haaland in one of his first games when he moved to Salzburg,” Keller told the Mittelbayerische Zeitung in an interview. “I then took the liberty of calling the club manager to see if Haaland might be eligible for a loan. He then laughed out loud. But it was worth a try,” said Keller about the efforts of the second division club from the Upper Palatinate.

This story came to light because Keller is ending his tenure with the club on Sunday.

Kane to stay with Spurs? (Sport1)

It has been assumed that Harry Kane would be seeking to leave Tottenham Hotspur during the summer, but the hiring of Antonio Conte seems to be giving Kane second thoughts:

U-turn with Harry Kane?

The striker actually wanted to move in the summer and move from Tottenham to Manchester City. In the end, the transfer did not work because club owner Daniel Levy declined all offers.

Now the attacker apparently wants to stay with the Spurs for a longer period of time. According to The Sun, the star is thrilled with the arrival of new coach Antonio Conte at the London club.

Kane should believe that Tottenham can finally play for titles with the Italian in the dugout.

Conte should already plan the first reinforcements of the squad. Franck Kessié from AC Milan is said to be about to sign with Spurs, according to Sun and Daily Mail. In addition, Kane will be reinforced in the attack by Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina.

It seems like Vlahovic is being linked to just about everyone these days...Bayern Munich being among the rumored suitors.

Müller and Lewandowski names to WhoScored’s European Top 5 Leagues Team of the Month (@WhoScored)

Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski were both honored by WhoScored:

ICYMI: Bavarian Podcast Works Postgame Show: Bayern Munich’s 5-2 victory over Benfica (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich picked up a 5-2 win over Benfica in the Champions League in match that easily could have been a four or five goal margin of victory in favor of the Bavarians.

Benfica came out swinging early, but punched itself and let Bayern Munich right back into the match. The second half was entirely dominated by the Bavarians as well.

Here’s what we have on tap:

• Julian Nagelsmann’s line-up was wild. Granted, Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Süle were injury, but I did not foresee Tanguy Nianzou getting the call, three wingers (Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman, and Leroy Sane), Thomas Müller on the bench, and no Jamal Musiala.
• Bayern Munich’s strong first half that ended on a disappointing note with Benfica’s goal and Robert Lewandowski’s missed penalty.
• The strong start to the second half that paved the way to victory.
• Bayern Munich’s swarming offensive attack.