Daily Schmankerl: Manchester United getting more serious about Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard; Bayern’s secret scrimmage felled by RB Leipzig injury crisis; Tyler Adams, Denis Zakaria, Renato Sanches on the move?; Neymar working with PSG on exit; + MORE!

United getting even more serious about Pavard, though has many irons in the fire (Football Transfers)

Benjamin Pavard is going to leave Bayern Munich. That much, seems certain.

However, even a club like Manchester United — who likes Pavard and is getting very serious about obtaining him — is not a sure thing to finish off a pursuit of the Frenchman.

Pavard is a top contender to help fill the roster void left by Harry Maguire’s transfer to West Ham, but there are quite a few options for Red Devils coach Erik ten Hag:

Erik ten Hag wanted Kim Min-jae but the 26-year-old eventually signed for Bayern Munich as his camp was not prepared to wait for Man Utd to make enough player sales to bring him to Old Trafford. As revealed, Benjamin Pavard remains high on the list – Ten Hag enjoys using players who can operate either in the middle or on the flank of a backline.

Pavard is keen on the move and wants to leave Bayern Munich to play more regularly as a centre-back, while the Frenchman has just a year left on his contract, meaning he would be among the cheapest options for Man Utd, who are also looking to bring in another striker. Other names wanted include Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, the latter of which enjoyed a superb campaign for PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie last term.

Pavard’s value to just about any club is obvious, but the Frenchman is being picky. He wants to play center-back and while most clubs are not necessarily opposed to using him there, it has become apparent that many other teams love his ability to play as a right-back.

For Pavard, there might not be a guarantee of being used as a center-back...anywhere.

Ultimately, the 27-year-old will have to figure out what means most to him...and where he wants to play (position-wise and club-wise).

Bitshiabu down with MCL injury (@RBLeipzig_EN)

At one point, El Chadille Bitshiabu was on Bayern Munich’s radar, but the young Frenchman ultimately moved to RB Leipzig, where a pathway to playing time should be far more clear.

Die Roten Bullen has had a disastrous offseason and it appears that the bad luck has rubbed off on Bitshiabu, who has suffered a torn MCL:

While that might not seem like a big deal for Bayern Munich fans, it does have an effect on the Bavarians. The closed door scrimmage between players from the club after the DFL-Supercup has now been cancelled due to all of the injuries that Leipzig is dealing with:

The cancellation is disappointing. While it would not have been televised for fans, it would have given coaches a chance to take a longer look at some bench players and youngsters. Those kinds of opportunities do not come often, so it would have been a great thing for Thomas Tuchel to see how some of his lesser-used players looked in a competitive game setting.

Neymar, PSG working together...to part ways (@FabrizioRomano)

It looks like Neymar could be getting his opportunity to leave Paris Saint-Germain — and that the two sides will work together to make it happen:

Christensen on United’s radar (El Nacional via 90Min.com)

Former Bayern Munich transfer target Andreas Christensen made the jump from Chelsea FC to FC Barcelona in 2023, but could already be on the move. Manchester United is reportedly a destination for the Danish defender:

Andreas Christensen is the subject of a surprise £43m offer from Manchester United. The Barcelona defender could be allowed to leave Camp Nou as the Catalan giants look to fund the purchase of Bernardo Silva among others.

Sanches waiting on PSG for Roma move (@FabrizioRomano)

Former Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches looks set to take a loan assignment to AS Roma, but Paris Saint-Germain has to buckle down and approve it:

Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Warm-up Podcast Season 3, Episode 5 (Bavarian Football Works)

After months of speculation, it finally appears that Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane is making the seemingly unlikely move to Bayern Munich.

The final days here have been a whirlwind of “will he” or “won’t he” stories that eventually all faded away. Barring a last minute collapse, Kane should be making his way to Germany for a physical and could be presented at the DFL-Supercup — if things go to plan.

All that said, there was plenty to talk about, so let’s dig in:

• Why I am crushing a crow sandwich.
• Recapping the craziness that occurred on Thursday August 10th as news was flowing from everywhere about Kane’s potential move.
• How Kane will fit and why Thomas Tuchel’s biggest job is to ensure this move is a success. Also, some thoughts on what happens if Tuchel can’t make the team mesh quickly.
• What else Bayern Munich might be looking at in the transfer market and why some of the perceived needs probably are exactly requirements.

ICYMI: Turner moves to Forest (@NBCSportsSoccer)

USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner has made the jump from Arsenal FC to Nottingham Forest:

Ljubicic set to join Wolves (@Plettigoal)

FC Köln’s Dejan Ljubicic wants to make the move to Wolfsburg:

Adams to Chelsea gets Romano’d (@FabrizioRomano)

USMNT star Tyler Adams got the “Here we go!” treatment from Fabrizio Romano, so it looks like his move from Leeds United to Chelsea FC will happen:

Zakaria to Monaco (@FabrizioRomano)

Former Bayern Munich transfer target Denis Zakaria is on his way from Juventus to AS Monaco:

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship: Season 6, Episode 4 (Bavarian Football Works)

After the debacle of the last week or so, it feels like Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur are going in circles when it comes to the subject of Harry Kane, courtesy of one Daniel Levy. The transfer could still go through of course, but it feels like it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Meanwhile, Yann Sommer has left Bayern but Manuel Neuer is still injured, and Thomas Tuchel complained about not having a true defensive midfielder. Lots of major topics for one episode.

In this episode, INNN and Schnitzel talk about the following:

• What the hell is Daniel Levy playing at?
• Should Bayern Munich pull out of the Harry Kane transfer?
• What potential options are available at this stage?
• Sadio Mane might be one of the worst transfers in Bayern Munich history.
• With Manuel Neuer still injured, was it a good idea to let Yann Sommer go?
• What goalkeeper alternatives can Bayern sign on such short notice?
• Why David de Gea is a BAD option.
• A review of how Bayern Munich has played in preseason so far.
• Why does Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich feel less dynamic?
• Tuchel vs Kimmich and the #6 debate.
• Why has the fanbase turned completely against Leon Goretzka?
• What does Thomas Tuchel think about the backline and Dayot Upamecano?
• Kyle Walker — seems like he’s not coming to Bayern.