Daily Schmankerl: Juventus, AC Milan preparing to pursue Bayern Munich’s Marcel Sabitzer; A-League Fight Club; Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea looks done; Chelsea and USMNT star Christian Pulisic draws interest from Liverpool, Inter, AC Milan; and MORE!

Juve, Milan eyeing Sabitzer (Calciomercato via Juve FC)

With the word breaking that Bayern Munich was nearing a deal with RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, other clubs have started to posture themselves for a bid on Marcel Sabitzer.

It has been widely-assumed that once the Laimer signing goes official, Sabitzer’s value to Bayern Munich will plummet, which will make him a key candidate for a sale next summer.

Juventus seems to be one potential suitor:

Juventus has been named as one of the clubs keen on signing Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer as he struggles in Bavaria. The German champions are eyeing a move for Konrad Laimer, which means more competition for a starting spot for Sabitzer.

The midfielder is now set to depart Munich and a report on Calciomercato.it reveals Juve is one of his suitors. The report claims the Bianconeri consider him one of the players who could replace Adrien Rabiot if the Frenchman leaves them at the end of this season.

Not referenced in the Juve FC version of the report, was that AC Milan is also eyeing a potential move for Sabitzer as well.

The Austrian has been terrific this season after an unsettling opening campaign during the 2021/22 season for Bayern Munich. Still a top-notch player, Sabitzer will make some club happy if he moves on. The feeling here is that it will be in the Bundesliga, however, and not Serie A.

Werder not interested in Kruse re-dux (Sport1)

Max Kruse left Wolfsburg and now might not really have much of an option on where to go from here:

Max Kruse will not return to Werder Bremen. Sports director Clemens Fritz ruled out signing the currently unemployed striker.

“Max is not an issue for us. We didn’t think about him either,” Fritz told Bild . The situation looked very different in the summer. At that time there were definitely considerations to bring the 34-year-old back to the Weser. “We discussed it internally. But it’s not like he could have switched for free, the salary and the squad structure also have to be taken into account,” Fritz admitted in retrospect. According to reports, Kruse is said to have earned an annual salary of up to 3.8 million euros in Wolfsburg - an amount that can hardly be borne by Bremen.

Kruse — if cheap — might not be a bad add for Bayern Munich. Just sayin’...

Nkunku nearing “Here we go” territory (@FabrizioRomano)

It looks like everything is pretty much signed, sealed, and delivered for RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku to finalize his move to Chelsea FC:

For the good of the Bundesliga, hopefully incoming striker Benjamin Šeško can alleviate some of the talent loss that Nkunku’s exit will leave.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Podcast: Season 2, Episode 23 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich’s season is unraveling. Germany got booted early from the World Cup. Argentina and France are set to duke it out in the World Cup finale.

Things have clearly not been coming up BFW lately, but here we are — still grinding away.

With so much going on, you know there is a ton to talk about, so let’s get to it. This is what we have on tap for this week’s episode:

• Germany’s task force/advisory council and what impact can they really make?
• The crazy transfer rumors we heard this week: Konrad Laimer’s potential positions? Marcel Sabitzer out? Marcus Rashford over Harry Kane?
• A look at Manuel Neuer’s injury, what it means for Bayern Munich, and why replacing him has become such a debacle. Alexander Nübel, Dominik Livaković, Yann Sommer, and Keylor Navas all have been mentioned as solutions.
• Babbling about the backline: Injury clauses in a contract proposal to Lucas Hernandez? Benjamin Pavard is definitely out, but the coaches want to keep him, and MORE!
• Why the second half of this season will be Julian Nagelsmann’s biggest test as a coach.

German women nominate for “Sports Team of the Year” (@bundesliga_f)

Let’s be honest, the Germany women have absolutely been better than the men this year and deserve the consideration across all sports in Germany:

BFW Fight Club Mini: Things got dicey at the Melbourne Derby (Football Transfers)

The Australian A-League is wild man:

The Guardian summed up what went on:

The A-League Men Melbourne derby descended into chaos after fans invaded the pitch amid ugly scenes at AAMI Park that left the City goalkeeper Tom Glover bloodied and the match abandoned for player safety reasons.

Football Australia denounced the “shocking scenes” and promised action would be taken against those responsible, while prominent figures in the game expressed their anger at the violence that comes just weeks after the Socceroos’ World Cup run had reinvigorated interest in the Australian game.

League leaders City were ahead through Aiden O’Neill’s 11th-minute goal when trouble erupted in the 22nd minute of the match. Both sets of fans had been throwing flares on to the pitch but the situation escalated when one appeared to hit a Network 10 cameraman, then exploded when Glover picked another off the ground and threw it back into the stand housing Victory’s active support.

As supporters flooded on to the field of play, a metal bucket used to dispose of flares was thrown in the direction of Glover, striking him in the face and drawing blood. Match referee Alex King, who was also injured and left covered in sand from the bucket, had no choice but to pull the players off the pitch and suspend play, before it was later called off.

Pulisic focused on Chelsea despite transfer rumors (90Min.com)

Is USMNT star Christian Pulisic on his way out the door at Chelsea FC? The Pennsylvania-native is being ogled by Liverpool, Newcastle United, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Inter Milan among others, but insists he is focused on the task at hand in London:

Christian Pulisic has discussed his Chelsea future as he continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. 90min reported earlier this week that he is wanted by fellow Premier League clubs Liverpool and Newcastle on loan, while Atletico Madrid, Milan, Inter and former side Borussia Dortmund are also interested in his signature.

“Right now I’m absolutely back at Chelsea,” he began. “[I am] focused and ready to finish the season. But you know how things work in football. Things change quickly and anything can happen. At the moment, I am just pushing myself in training and working at Chelsea because that’s where I am right now.”

Pulisic was then asked about the impact Graham Potter has had since replacing Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea head coach.

“He’s been good,” the American replied. “He’s come in and the way he’s worked with the players and communicated with the players has impressed me the most. We had a great start with him. We’ve had some difficulties in recent weeks but I think he’s working through it and I think the guys have received him quite well. We’re excited. There’s going to be good things going forward.”