Daily Schmankerl: Which striker did Julian Nagelsmann try to convince to switch to Germany?; Bayern Munich players recognized for efforts; Manchester City to hold fire sales?; Bayer Leverkusen confident on keeping Florian Wirtz; and MORE!

Germany is getting ready to face Italy…

Nagelsmann wanted a new striker, but struck out (@iMiaSanMia)

Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann was perusing his options at striker for the German national team due to the injuries to Kai Havertz and Niclas Füllkrug and had an idea.

What if Nagelsmann did not just rely on the options he had in hand already (Deniz Undav, Tim Kleindienst, and Jonathan Burkardt)…and tried to convert a striker from somewhere else, say…AS Monaco striker Mika Biereth, a 22-year-old born in London, who represented Denmark at the youth level, but who also has German roots.

Well, that is exactly what Nagelsmann did.

“I spoke with him. The first thing was to check whether there was a possibility for him to play for us. We looked into it thoroughly, looked into it a lot, but unfortunately that’s not possible. In his last game for Denmark, he was already 21 plus a few days. Accordingly, he can’t represent another association, and it’s no longer possible for us to provide him with a German passport and create the legal conditions for him to play for Germany,” said Nagelsmann.

Interesting, right?

Options for Vlahović (Rudy Galetti via ESPN)

Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović is a transfer target for Aston Villa:

Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović is on the radar of Aston Villa.

In addition to Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur is also interested in Vlahović (via ESPN):

Tottenham will have the chance to sign Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic for a bargain fee during the summer.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 34 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich has one more game before it will hit an international break — and there is much to talk about, so let’s not waste any time.

This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• As a heads up, I was kidnapped for this episode or thrown down a well — my mic actually bit the dust right before recording, so a back-up was used (no fear, a new mic is on the way!).
• Rejoice! Joshua Kimmich as re-upped.
• What we are doing with talkSport.
• How are we feeling about Bayern Munich as the squad takes a break?
• Leon Goretzka just keeps going — and Vincent Kompany wants to keep him. Will the coach’s endorsement be enough?
• Leroy Sané has a very tough decision to make.
• A brief Entertainment Rundown where we focus on the first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again.

Leverkusen confident it can keep Wirtz (Bild via ESPN)

Amid rumors that Bayern Munich and Manchester City want Florian Wirtz badly, Bayer Leverkusen is holding strong in its belief that it can keep Wirtz for another season:

Bayer Leverkusen are confident that star player Florian Wirtz, 21, will extend his contract, despite interest in a €120m move from Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

Given the way this season has played out, it is starting to feel unlikely that Bayer Leverkusen will be able to keep its star player.

City to hold fire sale (The Mirror via 90Min.com)

Speaking of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola’s club could be looking to unload several players according to The Mirror:

Manchester City are preparing to axe eight first-team players if they receive suitable offers this summer – Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson and Kyle Walker, currently on loan at AC Milan.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Special Edition: Breaking down the German national team’s call-up list (Bavarian Football Works)

Former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann selected his German national team squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League quarterfinals tie with Italy.

With so many injuries and illnesses to deal with, Nagelsmann probably had to operate a bit outside his comfort zone with some of his selections, but — in the end — came up with the concoction that he thinks will best position the German national team for success against a very solid side from Italy.

This is what we have on tap for this Special Edition episode of Bavarian Podcast Works:

• A reaction to the Bayern Munich selections on the squad.
• Commentary on each position group.
• Some final takeaways on the selections and what to expect.

Kane, Min-jae, Upamecano, Kimmich, Musiala recognized for efforts (@WhoScored via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich stars Kim Min-jae and Harry Kane were named to WhoScored.com’s UEFA Champions League Team of the Week for the 2nd leg of the Round of 16:

Meanwhile, Kane, Dayot Upamecano, Joshua Kimmich, and Jamal Musiala were all named to WhoScored.com’s UEFA Champions League Team of the Round of 16:

Leaving Sporting is “inevitable” for Gyökeres (ESPN)

It looks like rumored Bayern Munich target Viktor Gyökeres is almost assuredly going to leave Sporting CP after the season.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool FC, Arsenal FC, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain are all reportedly in the mix:

Viktor Gyökeres’ departure from Sporting CP this summer is inevitable, according to A Bola. Despite the Sweden striker having a contract with the Portuguese club until June 2028, he has reached a verbal agreement with Sporting to leave at the end of the season for less than his €100m release clause. Gyökeres, 26, could leave Sporting if an offer of around €70m arrives. According to A Bola, the Premier League is where Gyökeres wants to continue his career. Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City are among the Premier League clubs that have monitored Gyökeres while Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also shown an interest in the player. Gyökeres has scored 39 goals in 40 appearances for Sporting this season and is on his way to breaking last season’s feat of 43 goals.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show: Union Berlin vs. Bayern Munich (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich is riding high coming off of a massive Champions League tie victory over Bayer Leverkusen, but the Bavarians have to maintain focus if they want to avoid what looks like an obvious trap game on the schedule.

With the international break looming, Vincent Kompany will have to ensure his team keeps its eye on an underachieving, but capable Union Berlin squad. We will dive deep into that and more during the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show. Here is what we have in tap:

• A look into where each team falls in the Bundesliga table and some discussion on the recent form of each side.
• A look back at the first game between the teams earlier this season.
• A look at the injury/suspension situations for both teams.
• A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI.
• A prediction on the match.

Real looking at another Bournemouth player (Fichajes via 90Min.com)

Real Madrid has interest in another Bournemouth player — left-back Milos Kerkez:

Real Madrid have turned their attention to Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, with teammate Dean Huijsen also of interest.

City has eyes on Camavinga (@Plettigoal)

Manchester City could be eyeing up a move for Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga:

Manchester City have Eduardo #Camavinga on their list for the summer and are actively monitoring him. His agency, CAA Stellar, already has strong ties with #MCFC and recently facilitated Omar Marmoush’s transfer.

Many clubs are interested in Camavinga, but the 22-y/o has yet to decide whether he even wants to leave Real Madrid this summer. His contract runs until 2029.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Bayern Munich (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich traveled to Bayer Leverkusen for leg two of its Champions League tie and did what it needed to do — survive. Bayern Munich won 2-0 (5-0 on aggregate) to ice their way to the next round.

It was not the most exciting game, nor was it the most well played, but the Bavarians will move on to the Champions League quarterfinal to face Inter Milan. Let’s dive into this one on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:

Let’s talk about all of that and more on the Bavarian Podcast Work — Postgame Show. This is what we have on tap:

• A look at the starting XI and our thoughts on the rotation.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.