Daily Schmankerl: David Alaba and Chelsea continue to dance; Manchester City chasing Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku; A Wout Weghorst update; More Borna Sosa-to-Bayern Munich rumblings; and MORE!

Alaba’s price is still too high (@cfbayern)

The rumors that Bayern Munich defender David Alaba might be pricing himself out of an acceptable threshold for some teams are apparently true. Sport Bild chief Christian Falk said that Alaba’s salary request was “too high” at the moment for Chelsea — one of the few clubs who could actually afford the Austrian:

What happens with Alaba will be fascinating. His form, of late, has been much better, but will be show enough to convince a club to meet his rumored salary of €425,000 per week?

That remains to be seen.

City wants Haaland or Lukaku (Sports Mole)

Manchester City are allegedly in the hunt for a striker and has Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland and Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku in their crosshairs:

Manchester City will reportedly push ahead with plans to bring in a new striker, regardless of whether they are successful in their pursuit of Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The Citizens have been without club-record goal scorer Sergio Aguero for the vast majority of the season, leaving Gabriel Jesus as their only out-and-out recognised striker.

Aguero is now expected to move on in the summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to his decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium. City have been linked with a number of strikers in recent weeks, with Inter Milan’s Romelu Lukaku rumoured to be top of Pep Guardiola’s wishlist.

However, Guardiola has also been tipped to reunite with Messi and, according to 90min, City will still look to bring in a player of Lukaku’s calibre even if they manage to land the Barcelona ace. Erling Braut Haaland, who has scored 38 goals in 40 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since joining 13 months ago, is another reported target for the Premier League leaders.

Weghorst won’t just leave Wolves for anyone (kicker)

Wolfsburg star Wout Weghorst will not just leave the Bundesliga for any old team:

Again and again there is change speculation about Wout Weghorst (28, contract until 2023). His Premier League dream is well known, he spoke to Tottenham in the summer. “My ambitions have not changed,” said the VfL Wolfsburg striker in kicker (Thursday). “I want to achieve the maximum that is possible for me.” At the same time, he gives VfL hope. “I wouldn’t leave Wolfsburg for just any club, it would have to be a really really good fit. Even more so if we reach the Champions League.”

More Sosa rumblings (Transfer Market Web)

Bayern Munich’s alleged pursuit of VfB Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa seems to be picking up some steam:

Providing Stuttgart a fine seasonal performance, Croatian U21 international left-back Borna Sosa (23), according to latest German news, has been targeted by Bayern Munich. Playing for Die Schwaben since 2018/19, Dinamo Zagreb alumni had his deal with Bundesliga side extended until June 2025 just in late November.

Pavard needs no jacket (@itstheicebird)

Bild reporter Heiko Niedderer captured this video of Benjamin Pavard cruising through the airport with no jacket...in -13 degrees Celsius (8 degrees Fahrenheit). MY MAN: