Daily Schmankerl: Why Bayern Munich might not accept FC Barcelona’s offer for Robert Lewandowski; Real Madrid wants Serge Gnabry?; Updates on Cristiano Ronaldo, Victor Osimhen, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Tyler Adams, and Raheem Sterling; plus MORE!

The reason why Bayern is skeptical of Barca’s offer (Caught Offside)

This report was a bit shocking and maybe a lot hard to believe, but there is at least some thought that Bayern Munich is reluctant to make any deal with FC Barcelona that involves deferred money because the Bavarians are not quite sure the Catalans will be around in a few years:

Bayern Munich do not believe that Barcelona will exist in the near future. That’s according to a recent report from The Athletic’s Raphael Honigstein, who has claimed the German giants are demanding money upfront for striker Robert Lewandowski because they think Barcelona will go under.

Despite enjoying eight very successful years at the Allianz Arena, Lewandowski, 33, is keen for a new challenge as he enters the final few years of his career. It won’t be easy trying to force a move away from the Bavarians though – especially when the Poland international still has 12 months left on his contract.

In fact, according to Honigstein, Julian Naglesmann’s Bayern are so reluctant to accept a deal that includes instalments because they’re not convinced their Spanish rivals are going to survive the next year or two.

While you can never say never, it can be assumed that if FC Barcelona was in that bad of financial straits, La Liga or some financially secure entity would step in to save the club. In the end, though, Barca isn’t going anywhere.

Meanwhile, Barca Universal, captured a report by Fabrizio Romano stating that Barca is preparing a new offer for Lewandowski:

But, according to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are still working to reach an agreement with Bayern Munich and are expected to launch a fresh bid for Lewandowski in the coming days.

The Italian journalist claims that the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG have all asked about the striker’s situation. However, Lewandowski does not have any intentions of listening to their proposals and is only focused on joining Barcelona this summer.

Madrid back in on Gnabry? (The Hard Tackle)

Could Real Madrid have changed its tune and have decided to take a run at Bayern Munich star Serge Gnabry? At least one report indicates that is the case:

La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid are reportedly pondering about a possible €50 million swoop of Bayern Munich attacker Serge Gnabry. According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Serge Gnabry has again become the subject of interest from Real Madrid over a possible move in the summer transfer window. Los Blancos will need to shell out €50 million to secure the services of the Bayern Munich forward.

Los Blancos initially planned not to delve into the market for a wide-attacker in the summer transfer window despite failing to secure the services of Kylian Mbappe in a Bosman move. But Real Madrid’s plans have changed in the last few weeks amid rampant uncertainties surrounding the future of Marco Asensio.

The Spanish international could depart from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer transfer window, compelling Real Madrid to scour the market for a replacement. Gnabry has thus again emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid, even though recent reports claimed that they would not pursue him this year.

At the same time, widespread reports suggested that Gnabry wants to remain at Bayern Munich, which might complicate matters for Real Madrid. But the Bundesliga champions are ready to cash in on the German international if a suitor shells out €50 million to secure his services.

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

Bear in mind, we didn’t nominate ourselves or anything like that for this award...somebody likes us!

We’ve put a lot of hard work into helping the podcast network grow and evolve over the years. We’d love to bring home the gold here and frankly we have not been this fired up over 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)

Was Osimhen interest an indication that was Bayern out of running for Ronaldo? (The Express)

It is hard to fathom that Bayern Munich would be willing to spend upwards of nine figures to get Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, but at least one report says that Bayern’s alleged interest in Osimhen was an indicator that the club was not really all that interested in Cristiano Ronaldo:

Cristiano Ronaldo’s escape route from Manchester United could be in tatters after reports suggested that Bayern Munich had registered their interest in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen - potentially shunting the Portuguese star further down the pecking order on their shortlist.

Bayern Munich and Chelsea have been the two sides credited with the biggest interest in securing his signature, although it remains to be seen if a deal can be struck with United to let their star man leave the club. And according to Corriere dello Sport, his escape route to Germany could cease to exist with the Bavarian club being linked with a mega-money move for Osimhen to lead their line if Robert Lewandowski departs the club for Barcelona - which would also harm Arsenal and Tottenham, who hold an interest in the Nigerian.

Of course, Oliver Kahn quelled all of the Bayern-Ronaldo noise yesterday. Anyway, Arsenal FC and Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Osimhen.

More info on swap deal from Bayern spurned by Juve (Football Italia)

It does not look like Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard will be part of any swap deal to Juventus involving Matthijs de Ligt:

Juventus have turned down an offer from Bayern Munich which included Benjamin Pavard as part exchange for Matthijs de Ligt, according to reports. Bayern and Chelsea appear to be the leading candidates in the race to sign the Netherlands defender.

And Sky Germany report an offer from the Bundesliga champions which included France defender Pavard in an attempt to get close to Juve’s €90-100 million asking price has been rejected. The report adds that Bayern are unwilling to go over €60m in cash which is why they offered Pavard as part of the deal.

Various reports in Germany suggest Bayern have transfer listed the France international as they seek to find him a new club. There are conflicting reports as to where De Ligt’s most likely destination is, with the German media suggesting Bayern are the leading candidates. However, those close to Juve suggest Chelsea remain ahead in the race.

ICYMI: The Weekend Warm-up Podcast — Season 1, Episode 56 (Bavarian Football Works)

Hey, hey, hey! No, it’s not Dwayne Nelson from What’s Happening...it’s me and I’m back for a couple of weeks (before I leave again).

While I am in town, however, I am hear to talk all things Bayern Munich and maybe some other junk, but here is what we have on tap for this episode:

• A look at the latest on the three-way transfer saga involving Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski, and FC Barcelona.
• Assessing the current logjam in Bayern Munich’s attack.
• Check out the three center-backs linked to the Rekordmeister this week.
• Why we addressed the Julian Nagelsmann rumors when we really don’t care what he does.
• Borussia Dortmund is getting closer, but is not quite there yet.
• Why I get the attraction to So Cal.

This was also the final episode of season one of the Weekend Warm-up Podcast. Hopefully you have enjoyed it (or at least tolerated it!).

Zlatan inks “small deal” (Sport1)

Zlatan Ibrahimović is still going...and going....and going:

Zlatan Ibrahimović has apparently signed a new contract with AC Milan. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Swedish superstar will remain loyal to the champions for another year - albeit at significantly reduced salaries.

According to the report, the striker should “only” earn around 100,000 euros per month in the future. Reason: The 40-year-old is currently out after an operation on his knee, and he may not be able to get back into action until next year.

It was recently reported that Ibrahimović’s new contract should be performance-based. The wages are mainly made dependent on the number of games, it said.

In the past season, “Ibrakadabra” only played 23 games in Serie A due to injury problems, in which he contributed eight goals and three assists.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal as well:

Bavarian Podcast Works: Flagship Show — Season 5, Episode 1 (Bavarian Football Works)

July is here, and Bayern Munich have once again been linked with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar almost certainly wants to leave Manchester United this summer, and some parts of the fanbase think that Bayern should be happy to oblige. But is that a good idea? Meanwhile, there have been reports in the past week that Julian Nagelsmann wants to transition his team into a 4-3-3 formation for the upcoming season. With players already arriving for preseason, the coach’s tactical choices are once again under scrutiny.

In this episode, INNN and Tom discuss:

• The big Ronaldo news — is it a plausible transfer for Bayern Munich?
• What does CR7 bring to Bayern and the Bundesliga? And what does the club offer him?
• Is signing Cristiano Ronaldo a two-edged sword? Does his popularity bring unwanted attention?
• Concerns about CR7’s presence the dressing room under an inexperienced coach in Julian Nagelsmann.
• How would Ronaldo fit into a Bayern Munich team? Would he just slot in for Robert Lewandowski, or play a different role?
• Based on the last point, how viable would a 4-3-3 be at Bayern?
• The merits and problems with the 4-3-3, from personnel to tactics.
• How Thomas Muller’s role in the 4-3-3 formation changes everything about it.
• Would moving Sadio Mane to a false-9 role enable the 4-3-3 to work properly?
• Closing thoughts.

BVB announces Haller (@BlackYellow)

Borussia Dortmund’s makeover is going hard as the club announced it had signed Sebastien Haller yesterday:

Leeds announces acquisition of Adams (@LUFC)

Tyler Adams will join former Bayern Munich midfielder Marc Roca — and former Philadelphia Union and Red Bull Salzburg stalwart Brenden Aaronson — at Leeds United:

Sterling to Chelsea looks done (@FabrizioRomano)

Raheem Sterling looks like he is on his way from Manchester City to Chelsea FC:

Witsel is off to Atletico (@Atleti)

Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel is on his way to Atletico Madrid: