Daily Schmankerl: Manchester United prepping Robert Lewandowski bid; Erik ten Hag to bring Ryan Gravenberch with him?; More on Arsenal’s interest in Marcel Sabitzer; David Alaba comments on Lewy; and MORE!

United preparing for Lewy bid? (Football Transfer Tavern)

Manchester United could be plotting a bid to Bayern Munich for star striker Robert Lewandowski:

Manchester United have reportedly contacted Robert Lewandowski’s representatives ahead of a possible summer swoop. The Red Devils look set to bring Ajax boss Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford ahead of the 2022/23 campaign to take over from Ralf Rangnick.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that United are set to complete a contract agreement with Ten Hag and that contact has been made with Ajax over a €2m clause. Ten Hag previously demanded to be 100% involved when it comes to signings, departures and new contracts, and it looks as if Lewandowski is a potential target.

Could Lewandowski be ready to trade one shade of red for another? It seems like a longshot at this point, but this probably won’t be the last time we see this rumor.

United also plotting Gravenberch swoop? (The Hard Tackle)

Manchester United’s hiring of Erik ten Hag, coupled with Bayern Munich’s “take it or leave it” offer to Ajax could end the Rekordmeister’s pursuit of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch:

Manchester United are reportedly ready to rival Bayern Munich for the signing of Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Manchester United are ready to make a backdoor entry in the race to sign Ajax midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. Bayern Munich are believed to be in advanced talks with the player’s entourage over a possible summer move but the Red Devils could spoil the German giants’ party.

With the impending arrival of Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils are preparing themselves to give the Dutch tactician the best possible chance to take the club back to the upper echelons of European football. Ten Hag has reportedly requested the Manchester United’s board to sign the Ajax midfielder this summer.

Gravenberch could also stay another season at Ajax if Bayern will not pay the Dutch club more (90min.com)

It seems Bayern Munich’s bid for Ryan Gravenberch is taking fire on two fronts.

Manchester United’s bid (above) will complicate matters, but Ajax seems to be drawing its line in the sand might just retain midfielder Ryan Gravenberch for next season. Gravenberch, of course, has been rumored to already have agreed to terms on a deal with Bayern Munich:

Ajax have named their price for prodigious midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who is the subject of interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. A product of Ajax’s famed academy, Gravenberch has emerged as a key player for the Amsterdam side at just 19 years old and is already a full Netherlands international.

His contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena is due to expire in 2023, which has inevitably drawn the attention of some of Europe’s big hitters as they seek a cut-price deal for a huge talent. 90min reported earlier in April that Bayern Munich were closing in on Gravenberch’s signature having all but agreed personal terms with the player.

However, the two parties have yet to come to an agreement over a transfer fee, according to De Telegraaf, leading to the possibility that the midfielder could see out his current contract before sealing a free transfer to Bayern or elsewhere next summer. Ajax are holding out for €30m for their prized asset, while Die Roten have so far only offered €23m including bonuses and they are not showing a willingness to increase that figure.

Bavarian Podcast Works: Preview Show — Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker (Bavarian Football Works)

It is almost as if the Bundesliga scripted the season to reach this point: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. Should the Bavarians win, they’ll wrap up a 10th consecutive league crown.

Even with a draw, Bayern Munich would be in a prime spot to win the league barring a blockbuster collapse given that Dortmund would need to win the rest of the matches, hope for the Bavarians to lose the rest of their matches — and make up a pretty massive goal differential in the process.

This is what we have on tap for this episode:

• A look at where each club resides in the the table (Hint: The top).
• A glance at the form and recent storylines surrounding each team.
• A guess at Julian Nagelsmann’s lineup.
• A prediction on the match.

As always, we love your feedback and appreciate all the support!

Alaba comments on Lewy-to-Barca rumors (The Hard Tackle)

Former Bayern Munich star David Alaba has seen the rumors regarding Robert Lewandowski and FC Barcelona and the Austrian expects the striker to make the right call in the end:

There have been rumours of a contract offer being made as negotiations have been held between Lewandowski’s agent and Barcelona. And now, Alaba, who spent seven years at Bayern Munich playing alongside the Poland captain, has expressed his thoughts on the possibility of seeing him join a direct rival.

“Whatever he decides, I’m sure it will be the right thing to do. What I can say for sure: is that no defender would like to play against him,” the Real Madrid defensive mainstay said on the Barcelona target.

Grass Works goes abroad? (@ESPNFC)

Big miss by Thomas Tuchel in not consulting the experts here at BFW:

Gunners could make serious run at Sabitzer (@cfbayern)

Arsenal’s rumored pursuit of Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer is legitimate, according to Sport Bild’s Christian Falk:

Bayern players like Nagelsmann’s ability to change on the fly? (Tz via @iMiaSanMia)

According to Tz, some Bayern Munich are all good with Julian Nagelsmann’s flexibility with tactics and his ability to change on the fly during games: