Daily Schmankerl: Leroy Sané sweating his Bayern Munich position?; Germany’s EURO match TODAY; Chris Richards to Leeds United?; Barça oh my; and MORE!

Sané to Madrid? Not so fast (Defensa Central)

There’s a report making the rounds that Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané’s agents have offered the player, under contract until 2025, to La Liga giants Real Madrid:

Real Madrid are still looking for that non-existent Galactico to fill the privileged slot that was reserved for Mbappé and Haaland. There isn’t. Many options follow one another (Nkunku, Gabriel Jesus, Isak, Gnabry...) but none is up to the task. The offers, however, have not stopped (and will not stop) throughout the summer.

[LIAN Sports Group] represents Luka Jovic and has been in close contact with Real Madrid in recent hours. Taking advantage of the negotiations between Los Blancos and FIorentina, the team of agents of the Bayern Munich player has been testing the options. In Valdebebas they have not given a final answer and have left the case under study and pending response, although it is true that everything will depend on the departure of Marco Asensio. Everything will depend on the future of the Mallorcan attacker, in a huge stand-by, and until then Real Madrid does not plan to move.

But Sport Bild’s Tobi Altschäffl has already savaged the report, writing that the rumors “are far-fetched. A change is not an issue for the attacker, on the contrary: he wants to prove himself at Bayern.”

Still, Sané suddenly finds himself the winger with the earliest expiring contract at Bayern (Kingsley Coman extended to 2027 last year and Serge Gnabry is on the verge of a deal to 2026). Sané had once looked to be on the ascent under coach Julian Nagelsmann, but that extend-or-sale conversation will come sooner or later. This season could be decisive.

Finland vs Germany — final EURO group stage game 7/16! (UEFA)

Mark your calendars! The final Germany group stage match of EURO 2022 will kick off tomorrow at 3pm ET. As before, we’ll bring you lineups, how to watch, and a game thread, starting at 2:30pm.

The Germans have the group sewn up thanks to their counter-attacking masterclass against Spain on Tuesday. It’s time to see some fresh faces now — especially with two conveniently-timed suspensions. Bayern’s Lea Schüller is also still out with COVID, while Lina Magull is nursing a hamstring.

So far in the tournament, the DFB Frauen have notched six goals to zero conceded. Let’s keep the good times rolling.

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

Chuck reflects on a tense week filled with HUGE promise but little action — as of recording, but things are moving fast! In this episode:

• Keep voting! BPW has been nominated for World Soccer Talk Awards — Best Club Podcast
• A look at the ongoing Bayern - Barça - Lewandowski situation.
• The latest on De Ligt: could a deal come soon?
• Serge Gnabry’s fit as he closes in on a new contract.
• Is Chris Richards on his way out?
• A kinder, gentler Brazzo? Was he playing the long game with Haaland?
• The season finale of The Boys and the second-half premier of Better Call Saul.

Chris Richards to Leeds United? (CBS)

Bayern’s American center-back looks like he might be headed from loan to loan. The versatile USMNT defender is being scoped by a fellow American, coach Jesse Marsch at Leeds United:

A starting gig in the English Premier League would be a positive move for Richards ahead of this year’s Men’s World Cup. On the other hand, we’re not entirely enthused by the possibility that a talented youngster won’t ever return to Bayern. These rumors are still in the early stages, so there’s hope yet for those who’d like to see him stay.

Barça splashing MORE cash? (Gerard Romero)

Oh, you thought FC Barcelona were forcing out Frenkie de Jong to make room for Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, or Raphinha? Please, that’s amateur hour. They’ll stop when they drop:

Good thing it’s definitely real money.

Barça have had their eyes on the suave Portuguese midfielder for a while, but Manchester City don’t seem inclined to sell. Apparently it wouldn’t even be the first time Barcelona have failed to find the actual funds for Silva.

On De Jong, meanwhile, Barça sporting director Mateu Alemany said this: “Frenkie is a very important player and we count on him. But we know La Liga’s Fair Play tells us to sell players.”

Sure, Mateu, blame it on the league.

ICYMI: Vote for Bavarian Podcast Works! (Bavarian Football Works)

It’s our pleasure to announce that Bavarian Podcast Works has been nominated for the “Best Club Podcast” by World Soccer Talk.

That’s right, your favorite Bayern Munich podcast network is up for an award. While we are humbled and honored that we have not chased everyone away, we could use your help in securing the trophy. So, please vote! Help support BFW’s quest to be the best (or INNN will hunt you down): World Soccer Talk Awards — Best Club Podcast

Bear in mind, we didn’t nominate ourselves — somebody likes us!

We’ve put a lot of hard work into growing and evolving BPW over the years. We’d love to bring home the gold and frankly have not been this fired up for a competition since the Bunducksliga was at its peak!

Voting closes at midnight EST on July 31, 2022. (Direct link: https://worldsoccertalk.com/best-club-podcast-2022-world-soccer-talk-awards)

Vancouver Whitecaps secure another German right-back (Transfermarkt)

Per Manuel Veth, the Major League Soccer club that gave us Alphonso Davies and signed Nick Salihamidžić had added another German to their ranks:

Gessel has already been kicking around MLS with D.C. United, and he looks to play a similar position as the younger Salihamidžić. We knew Nick wasn’t exactly going to drop right into the first team in Vancouver — and perhaps the German connection will be a helpful one for him.

Djed Spence to Spurs (The Athletic)

Another talented fullback from the English Championship is moving up! The one-time Bayern target is hopping from Middlesbrough to Tottenham Hotspur. The medicals have taken place; it’s done and dusted:

Bayern, of course, eventually went the free transfer route with Noussair Mazraoui.

Spence will now compete in the same league as Omar Richards once again, after Bayern flipped the latter after just one season to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.

Bavarian Podcast Works: Flagship Show — Season 5, Episode 2 (Bavarian Football Works)

In this episode of the BPW Flagship show, Tom and Fergus discuss:

• If De Ligt is worth becoming Bayern’s record signing.
• How would De Ligt fit in Bayern’s back line in a back four system.
• Would he bring enough to shore up Bayern’s defense.
• Omar Richards departing to Nottingham Forest.
• How do we backup Alphonso Davies now that O. Richards is gone.
• Our preferred starting back four.
• Should the transfer window close prior to domestic seasons starting?