Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich, Chelsea, FC Barcelona battling over Ousmane Dembélé?; Real Madrid, Liverpool sparring over Serge Gnabry?; Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United could be done; and MORE!

Bayern still in on Dembélé? Probably not (Xavi Torres via @iMiaSanMia)

It seemed far-fetched that Bayern Munich would still be linked to FC Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé (and per one source, it is), but there were still a few stories out of Spain stating that the Bavarians were in the mix for the Frenchman.

Really, it is a ludicrous rumor at this stage given that Bayern Munich just inked Sadio Mané to a significant contract:

Sport Bild’s Christian Falk, however, shot down the rumors linking Bayern Munich to Dembélé with authority, though:

According to Sky, Chelsea FC is leading the race for Dembélé:

Chelsea are leading the race to sign Ousmane Dembélé when his contract expires at Barcelona next week. The Daily Star report that Barcelona boss Xavi has tried to entice the Frenchman with a new contract, but Dembele has his heart set on a fresh start.

Dembele impressed the Catalan side in 2017 when at Dortmund, thus triggering a £135M move to Barcelona at 2017. However, a string of injuries and fitness injuries have limited Dembele’s capabilities at the Nou Camp.

Fabrizio Romano says that Barca is not giving up hope to retain Dembélé, though:

LFC, Madrid to compete over Gnabry? (The KOP Times)

Liverpool and Real Madrid could both be scoping Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry:

Liverpool are in the way of Spanish giants Real Madrid in their pursuit of Bayern Munich forward Serge Gnabry, as per SPORT (h/t Liverpool Echo). The Reds are apparently ‘considering’ a move for the German international after losing both Sadio Mane and Divock Origi this summer. Mane, in fact, is now Gnabry’s teammate.

Both of them are versatile forwards and it remains to be seen how the Senegal international’s entry at the Allianz Arena impacts the former Arsenal forward’s playing time. Last season, he was an important part of Julian Nagelsmann’s side.

The German’s ability to play as a centre-forward could be what appeals to Los Blancos. While Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr are two of the most exciting young wingers in European football, Karim Benzema isn’t getting any younger. LFC, meanwhile, would want some sort of depth in their team after seeing Origi and Mane leave this summer. Takumi Minamino is also close to sealing a transfer to AS Monaco.

Having only added Darwin Nunez this summer, it is obvious that personnel-wise, the Reds have weakened themselves up front when compared to the squad they possessed last month. Gnabry would be a really smart buy and we could offer the 26-year-old winger a route back to English football after his failed stint with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. His current deal is set to expire next year, which could play in our favour.

It is really starting to feel like Gnabry is on his way out the door at Bayern Munich.

Bavarian Podcast Works: Flagship Show Season 4, Episode 36 (Bavarian Football Works)

For the first time in a long time, BFW is doing a three-person show! Hasan Salihamidzic has been a perennial subject of controversy at Bayern Munich, and with his contract set to run out next season, we decided to do a deep dive on his record and what he has achieved in his tenure as sporting director. With the Sadio Mané saga fresh in everyone’s minds, it seemed like a good time to finally tackle this issue.

In this episode, INNN, Tom, and Schnitzel discuss:

• Our opening thoughts about Brazzo and how he has conducted his business at Bayern Munich.
• Does Brazzo deserve the flack he gets for failing to extend certain contracts?
• Talking about the communication issues at Bayern, especially the Robert Lewandowski saga.
• The Niklas Sule incident — what happened there? Going through everything from top to bottom.
• Criticism of Herbert Hainer and Oliver Kahn. How much of their failings are being blamed on Brazzo?
• INNN tries to come up with some redeeming points for Brazzo. Maybe he learned his lessons this season?
• What happened between Hansi Flick and Brazzo?
• Final question: Has Brazzo earned his contract extension yet? What more should he do? (Arguments ensue ...)

BVB releases numbers for new players (@BlackYellow)

Is Niklas Süle’s #25 an homage to his old golf buddy Thomas Müller? Either way, if you know any folks looking for a Borussia Dortmund kit, they would have some new options:

City expecting bid for Sterling (Sky)

Manchester City is anticipating an exit for Raheem Sterling and Chelsea FC could be the destination:

Manchester City are expecting to field an opening offer from Chelsea for Raheem Sterling after Thomas Tuchel engaged the England international over how he would fit in at Stamford Bridge.

Pep Guardiola has repeatedly stated “I don’t like to keep players that are unhappy” and is open to allowing Sterling’s exit this summer, even to a Premier League rival, on condition that an acceptable bid in the region of £50m is tabled.

Fabrizio Romano thinks the deal is getting closer:

Sterling’s arrival should have some fallout. Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, and Callum Hudson-Odoi could all become candidates to leave Chelsea if Sterling arrives.

Spurs eyeing Leipzig defender (@swearimnotpaul)

Tottenham Hotspur is looking to bring in RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol:

De Jong to United could be done (@berger_pj)

It appears that FC Barcelona and Manchester United are very close to getting a deal done for Frenkie de Jong as numbers have — allegedly — been agreed on:

Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Warm-up Podcast Season 1, Episode 55 (Bavarian Football Works)

(With Chuck out of pocket for a few days, Samrin stepped in to host the Weekend Warm-up and did so with aplomb. Chuck is back next week for the Season 1 finale!)

Bayern Munich made a big move official this week with Sadio Mané joining from Liverpool. The Robert Lewandowski saga, though maybe on the backburner, is by no means over. Both players feature on today’s topics list:

• How Mané shows Bayern flexing their status as a destination club
• Why Lewandowski might be forced to stay after all
• Saša Kalajdžić rumors and how they relate to Lewandowski
• Do fans have short memories? Why Brazzo needs to keep the good times rolling
• How a Laimer signing could actually cause headaches for Julian Nagelsmann