Daily Schmankerl: FC Barcelona to pay €60m for Robert Lewandowski?; Germany vs Austria in the EURO!; Paulo Dybala to AS Roma; Axel Witsel to Atlético Madrid; Bayern Munich in Green Bay; Thomas Müller is Michael Jordan; and more!

Barça with a secret €10m add-on for Bayern for Lewandowski? (El País)

FC Barcelona may have thrown more money than initially reported to secure Robert Lewandowski’s transfer from Bayern Munich. Madrid-based daily El País is out with a sensational read and/or fanfic on the situation. Per this report, the Bayern Munich bosses are kicking back and having a laugh amid a “festive” atmosphere:

... Expectations [were] exceeded by the sale of a 34-year-old player they did not want. According to sources close to the coaching staff and management, after the Champions League quarter-final elimination against Villarreal on April 22, the club resolved to offer the Pole a move away if he did not agree to renew his contract expiring in 2023 for one more season.

If Barça unofficially stated that the acquisition would cost 50 million, Bayern, on condition of anonymity, assured that the transfer was closed for a total of 60 million euros: 45 million fixed, five if Barça qualifies for the Champions League in the coming seasons, and ten more if the player completes his first year of his contract as a Culé.

This detail publicly was supposedly withheld to take media heat off the club over the cost of the transfer. Alas, the best-laid plans of mice and men were apparently foiled again when agents directly involved in the transaction decided to chat up various publications.

How seriously can we take all of this? Welcome to the Daily Schmankerl. We clicked so that you don’t have to.

German to face Austria in the EURO quarters — July 21st 8pm local time in England (UEFA)

In case you missed it, Germany swept away Finland yesterday to come out as arguably the top team in the Women’s EURO 2022 competition being held in England. This has been a thoroughly entertaining tournament. The hosts are also top favorites, but on the other side of the knockout bracket. But first, a date with continental neighbors Austria — where we can expect Bayern Frauen representatives on both sides.

It’ll be back to Brentford stadium, same bat time, July 21st. Stay tuned for our continuing coverage of the German national team!

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.

Editor’s note: Folks, we are getting creamed by the Spurs folks. Let’s give this a good old fight all the way to the end of voting on July 31, though. If they let up, we’ll be here.

Paulo Dybala to AS Roma? (SkySport)

This is a wild one. The supremely talented 28-year-old Argentine winger is departing Juventus on a free, and José Mourinho’s new club may swoop in to keep him in Serie A:

That’s a three-year contract including €6m in bonuses. News is moving fast here and may even be finalized by the time you’re reading this. This is a hefty set of departures for The Old Lady, with the past 24 hours also seeing news break that Bayern have closed the deal on a Matthijs de Ligt transfer. The Special One is following up his first AS Roma trophy with serious action in the transfer window.

Axel Witsel completes La Liga move (Atlético Madrid)

In this edition of Dortmund Watch, we check back in with Axel Witsel, the 33-year-old Belgian midfielder whom we last saw linked with France. Instead, he’ll be following Lewy out of the Bundesliga to Spain:

It’s been some time since then but the Belgian international has since completed his move to Atlético Madrid after four years of fighting for second place confirmed. Witsel’s expired contract freed up a nice chunk of the wage bill for BVB, who have been making some corresponding big moves this summer.

(See, everyone’s leaving on free transfers!)

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)

Real Madrid turn down Leroy Sané (Mundo Deportivo)

Covered just a couple days ago, but another note shooting down (or at least resolving) the loose links between Bayern’s #10 and a move away:

Leroy Sané has reportedly been offered to Real Madrid as part of Jovic’s move to Fiorentina. The two players share an agent and would have put Sané’s name on the table, but Real Madrid ruled out the incorporation of the German player.

Right now, the club has no plans to add anyone in attack and Ancelotti went so far as to say that the squad is closed in terms of signings. However, if Marco Asensio and Mariano leave, the club could go for a striker.

We fully expect not much more to come from this for a while, but Sané will be under renewed pressure to perform. Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, and Jamal Musiala are definitely not going anywhere soon.

How to watch Bayern Munich take on Manchester City on July 23 (The Green Bay Press Gazette)

A showcase spectacle for European football in the States will take place on July 23 at Lambeau Field — fittingly from a Bayern perspective, it’s at the home of the only community-owned team in the NFL. Here’s how to watch:

When is the Bayern Munich-Man City soccer match?

6 p.m. July 23.What’s the TV channel for Bayern Munich vs. Man City?

The match will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.

Can I live stream the match?

Yes. You can watch via the ESPN app with a subscription. Streaming is also available on FuboTV, Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, AT&T TV NOW and DIRECTV STREAM.

There’s lots to appreciate between the two clubs, Bayern and Green Bay — tremendous histories of success, franchise superstars forcing or trying to force moves away. A savvy location choice as Bayern continues to build their worldwide brand.

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?

Bonus: Thomas Müller knows who’s the Michael Jordan in this relationship

In case you missed it:

Thomas: “And I took that personally.”