Daily Schmankerl: Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal all eyeing summer move for Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane; Bayern, PSG among clubs linked to FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong; Real Madrid eyeing BuLi star; Man City dropping mainstay?; and MORE!

Will Harry Kane leave Bayern Munich if he wins a trophy?

LFC leads charge on Kane, but United, Gunners, Chelsea also in mix (Football Talk)

The news that Bayern Munich star Harry Kane has a release clause in his contract was music to the ears of several English clubs.

With the Bavarians expected to win the Bundesliga (while also being in serious contention for the Champions League), Kane could be tempted to say, “Mission accomplished!” and head back to the Premier League.

Liverpool FC is hoping for that exact scenario:

Liverpool are reportedly prepared to make a mega-money bid to sign Bayern Munich star Harry Kane, as per Spanish outlet Fichajes. After moving to Allianz Arena from Tottenham Hotspur ahead of last season, the Englishman enjoyed a stellar goal-scoring season last term but couldn’t manage to win any silverware.

Now, Fichajes state that following an early exit from the Champions League, Liverpool are planning to reinforce the attacking department by signing a top-class striker.

The Reds are determined to sign Kane and are prepared to submit a formal £100m proposal. Bayern don’t want to let their star man leave but could change their stance should they receive the mega offer. Moreover, Kane would be attracted by the prospect of returning to the Premier League and fighting for the title.

Football Insider added further fuel to the fire with more information on Kane:

Harry Kane is eyeing a return to the Premier League this summer as Liverpool have moved to the front of the queue for his signature. That is according to former Man United and Tottenham scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 31-year-old has his heart set on breaking the goalscoring record.

Kane is believed to have a release clause in his Bayern Munich contract which has alerted “all of England’s top clubs” to his availability. This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Man United’s owners are pushing to sign Kane as they plan to make him their marquee signing at Old Trafford.

However, Arne Slot wants to sign a world-class forward and Liverpool are now preparing to make a move this summer despite rival interest. Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider in February that Kane would cost a total of £100million plus £400,000-a-week in wages.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that interested clubs will have to consider whether they can afford to bring him to the club.

“He has his heart set on breaking Alan Shearer’s record,” he told Football Insider. “Coming back to the Premier League is the first step towards doing that, so I think he’ll be looking at his options in the summer. He would start for any of England’s top clubs, but can they afford his asking price and wages? There’s been so much talk about it, and from what I hear he wants to come back to England. Man United are in for him, he’s been a long-term target there, but can they afford it?

“The other option is Liverpool. They’re more financially stable and the manager wants to strengthen his attacking options this summer with a new centre-forward. There aren’t many better out there than Harry Kane, so I don’t doubt they’re interested. I think they’d be at the front of line for him if he did become available.”

The Reds are not the only English club eyeing Kane, though. Another report has Tottenham, Chelsea FC, and Arsenal FC as possibilities as well (TodoFichajes via 90Min.com):

There is rival interest in Kane from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 35 (Bavarian Football Works)

The German national team took center stage over the past two weeks, so we will focus on that, but we will transition back to Bayern Munich and how the Bavarians are dealing with injuries and a key stretch to the season.

This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:

• Unpacking where Germany stands after advancing to the UEFA Nations League semifinals.
• Is the Midas touch wearing off for Julian Nagelsmann with Germany?
• Joshua Kimmich is embracing the challenge of everything it means to be a leader.
• Depth and talent are issues with the Germans.
• The latest report from kicker indicates that Florian Wirtz will extend his contract with Bayer Leverkusen — and why this is an issue for Bayern Munich.
• How ready is Bayern Munich for Inter Milan?

United, Chelsea, Bayern, PSG in the mix for De Jong (PSG Talk)

Frenkie de Jong’s status at FC Barcelona is exhausting. In or out? Staying or going?

De Jong is always in the rumor mill, but more often than not, we eventually see reports break that De Jong does not want to leave Catalonia. This time around, the Dutchman is being linked to Bayern Munich Manchester United, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain:

Frenkie de Jong’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract. With interest from several European clubs, one Premier League team has reportedly made him a top target.

Last October, SPORT reported that Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain were all keeping a close eye on de Jong’s situation. Although de Jong has expressed a desire to stay at Barcelona, PSG’s track record of signing players from the club makes them a serious contender. Meanwhile, Barcelona appear open to a sale, with Mundo Deportivo noting that financial constraints have pushed a new contract down their list of priorities.

Recently, CaughtOffside reported that Liverpool have discussed their summer transfer plans, with de Jong among the names on their radar. However, his wages could be a sticking point.

Barcelona are reportedly willing to sell de Jong for around €35 million, but his high salary at the Nou Camp has raised concerns for Liverpool and other interested clubs. Pol Ballús of The Athletic reports that De Jong wants to stay at Barcelona and is in talks over a new contract, with his current deal worth €19 million per year.

Frenkie de Jong is focused on staying at Barcelona despite reports that contract negotiations with the club have stalled. Speaking to Ziggo Sport, the 27-year-old said: “Let the newspapers talk about me. I’ve been here for a while now, so I’m used to it. It can be frustrating. At some point, they invented things, so I had to express myself. I feel good. I’m in very good shape, and I don’t think about my ankle during matches anymore.”

Of all of the time that De Jong has been linked to Bayern Munich, this seems like the least likely to really be on the club’s radar.

Familiar faces recognized for efforts in UEFA Nations League (@WhoScored via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich stars Joshua Kimmich (Germany), Leon Goretzka (Germany), Dayot Upamecano (France), and Michael Olisé (France) were all named to WhoScored.com’s UEFA Nations League Quarterfinals Team of the Round. In addition, Germany striker Tim Kleindienst was also named to the squad:

Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Germany 3(5)-3(4) Italy (Bavarian Football Works)

Former Bayern Munich manager and current Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann led his team to a victory over Italy in the UEFA Nations League. In this episode, we discuss the following:

• The lineup and the changes Julian Nagelsmann made from the first leg
• Some mouthwatering combinations across the pitch in Florian Wirtz’s absence, including between Joshua Kimmich and the rest of the team
• Appreciation for Tim Kleindienst
• Appreciation for combinations created in Bayern Munich
• Should Germany believe they can win the UEFA Nations League?
• Questions for Germany ahead of their semifinal against Portugal
• Thoughts on other UEFA Nations League games including one with a distinctly Bayern Munich flavor (heartbreak for one Bayern player and boundless joy for another)
• The importance of Karim Adeyemi

Szoboszlai and Güler go to (online) battle (@FabrizioRomano)

During Türkiye’s 3-0 win over Hungary, Real Madrid bench player Arda Güler “shooshed” Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai, which led to an ongoing battle that went online. Szoboszlai hit Instagram to quote Güler’s scant minute count for Real Madrid this season:

Because we are in the age where people just don’t fight out their differences, they throw barbs online, Güler fired back and called Szoboszlai a “joke”:

Online beefs…this is the kind of thing that happens from a generation of people never having to be accountable for what they say.

Flick saved Raphinha’s relationship with Barca (@FabrizioRomano)

FC Barcelona star Raphinha was contemplating a move last summer…until Hansi Flick lobbed a phone over to him. Fabrizio Romano posted how it all played out:

Raphinha: “Hansi Flick called me and asked me to come to training before making a decision because he wanted to talk to me and counted on me”.

“That was a turning point in my decision to stay”.

“I spoke with my wife and told her: If this man is fair and sees the effort I put into training, I’ll make him want me in a week, and he won’t regret it. And I think I was right.”

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 35 (Bavarian Football Works)

The international break afford us the opportunity to take some time and think all things Bayern Munich — and maybe even take a deep dive back into some things from the past.

It was two years ago this week that Bayern Munich sacked Julian Nagelsmann. Let’s talk about the whens, the hows, and the whys of the situation once more and also how things have changed for everyone since that point. This is the full gamut of what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• Reflecting back on March 23rd, 2023 — The day that Bayern Munich fired Nagelsmann. The shock of it all. Why it happened? How that changed the future?
• Catching up on the latest news on some players, who Bayern Munich has been linked to — Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, and Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. Don’t be shocked, though, if Max Eberl goes off the grid on a pursuit or two.
• A listener Q&A segment, including a question on beer, squad planning, and which Bayern Munich jerseys BFW staffers own.
• A brief Entertainment Rundown.

Grealish might want fresh start (Mail via ESPN)

Manchester City could be ready to part ways with Jack Grealish:

£100m winger Jack Grealish, 29, could leave Manchester City this summer to find more first-team opportunities.

Madrid eyeing Gittens (Fichajes via 90Min.com)

We can add Real Madrid to the list of clubs keeping an eye on Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens:

Real Madrid have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens, having been impressed by his ability to play on both wings.