Daily Schmankerl: Is Bayern Munich worried about Liverpool and Manchester City’s interest in Leroy Sané?; FC Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen catches a stray; Manchester United eyeing Antoine Griezmann?; Dayot Upamecano, Kingsley Coman honored; + MORE!

Bayern “has to be a little worried” about Sané rumors (teamTALK)

Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané is widely expected to extend his stay with the club, but recent rumors linking the Germany international to both Liverpool FC and Manchester City have caused some unrest among fans — and maybe the club itself per Sky Sport (via teamTALK):

Sky Germany acknowledge the Man City links that have done the rounds of late. They also declare Bayern ‘has to be a little worried’ about the prospect of losing Sane to the Premier League. Indeed, it’s noted Bayern ‘will probably stretch themselves a lot’ with regards to what they offer Sane in the contract talks.

In other words, it could be a case of having to pay more than they wish to retain Sane or run the risk of losing him to City or Liverpool. In any case, Sane’s future should become that little bit clearer following the talks after the international break.

As of now, things seems okay, though the winger does want to focus on games through at least the end of this calendar year instead of engaging in contract talks. Overall, though, things appears to point toward an extension rather than a transfer.

Ter Stegen talks criticism in stride (Barca Universal)

So...this story is an odd one, but stick with us — just know that it was Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp in goal for Germany rather than FC Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen. Either way, Ter Stegen caught a stray:

Germany started the international with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Turkey, which is not the best of results for new coach Julian Nagelsmann. Barcelona players Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ilkay Gundogan were also involved in the game and received a fair share of flak.

In the case of ter Stegen, in particular, former German footballer Michael Ballack even went on to claim that Manuel Neuer should become Germany’s number one once he returns to full fitness.

After the game, ter Stegen issued a response to Ballack’s comments, stating (h/t Mundo Deportivo), “This is the nice thing when you play outside Germany, which is that you don’t hear everything.”

But he added that everyone is free to express their own opinion. “Everyone is free to express their opinion. All that matters to me is that I am fit and performing well, and this is the only way I want to prove myself,” he said.

It is unclear why anyone assumed Ter Stegen was in net (he is injured), but Michael Ballack surely was just calling out that a healthy Manuel Neuer is still the world’s best goalkeeper.

Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Warm-up Podcast Season 3, Episode 19 (Bavarian Football Works)

Ahead of the EURO 2024 competition, yet another international break is upon us.

Bayern Munich players are spread out globally to represent their respective national teams, but that does not mean that there is not a lot to talk about with both the Rekordmeister and the boys representing Germany:

• Registering a formal take on the hotly-contested Harry Kane vs. Robert Lewandowski debate.
• The curious story leaked by Bild that indicates Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann will not be using Joshua Kimmich as a right-back.
• What to expect from Germany’s upcoming games and what are some realistic expectations.
• Looking at Bayern Munich’s upcoming slate of games.
• The latest news on Alphonso Davies and his potential transfer — as Real Madrid, Liverpool FC, Chelsea FC, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain all circle.

United to get Griezmann? (El Nacional via 90Min.com)

Manchester United could be ready to take a run at Antoine Griezmann:

Manchester United are preparing to trigger Antoine Griezmann’s £22m release clause and will offer the France international a contract worth over £350,000 per week to convince him to leave Atletico Madrid.

Spurs to chase Raphinha? (@Transfersdotcom)

Tottenham Hotspur could be looking at FC Barcelona winger Raphinha to add a jolt to its attack:

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 6, Episode 19 (Bavarian Football Works)

Yes, we are a Bayern Munich podcast, but after the latest humiliation we simply have to focus on Germany this week. Losing 3-2 to a Turkish B-team is a new low, and we’re only three games into the Julian Nagelsmann era. Where was the free flowing football? The attacking concept? The tactical philosophy? It seems like the coach has fallen into the experimentation trap he experienced at Bayern Munich, where he didn’t know when to stop tinkering.

In this episode, INNN and Samrin discuss the following:

• What was Julian Nagelsmann thinking with THAT lineup? Kai Havertz at left-back, really?
• Everything that went wrong for Germany, from offense to defense, the midfield, and individual performances.
• Why do coaches keep making the same mistakes when taking over the at the DFB?
• The curious case of İlkay Gündoğan and the major issue with Joshua Kimmich.
• The problem with Germany that no one seems to talk about — a culture of mediocrity and assumptions.
• Where does Nagelsmann go from here?
• What will happen at the Euros?
• A token amount of Bayern Munich discussion — what is going on with Alphonso Davies? Will he go to Real Madrid?
• Why losing Davies would be devastating to Bayern in the long term.

Bayern, PSG attempted to get Juve’s Danilo before new deal (JuveFC)

Interestingly, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain were both rumored to have wanted Danilo before he re-upped with Juventus:

Danilo is one of the most dedicated current members of the Juventus team, and the Brazilian has demonstrated this commitment by extending his deal with the club. Since joining Juve in 2019, Danilo has consistently been one of the team’s most reliable players. Juventus has been fortunate to have him, acknowledging his contributions by rewarding him with the captain’s armband.

Although Danilo has been sidelined due to injury for some time, he is expected to return after the international break.

Before signing his latest contract with the club, the defender reportedly attracted interest from other top European sides. Tuttomercatoweb reveals that PSG and Bayern Munich attempted to recruit him, but the Brazilian had no interest in leaving Turin and opted to extend his contract with the Bianconeri.

We knew that Bayern Munich had interest in Danilo back in 2021, but more recently? That is interesting — if true.

Upamecano, Coman earn recognition (@WhoScored)

Both Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman earned rave reviews for their efforts with France last week: