Florian Wirtz could alleviate the need for a total refresh of the attacking group…
If you have been reading the tea leaves, Bayern Munich could be very close to making an offer to Olympique Marseille winger Luis Henrique.
Bayern Munich has already had high-level executives scout him (plus head coach Vincent Kompany) and has already open talks with the 23-year-old as well.
Let’s take a look at where things stand and start with a report from the Foot Mercato duo of Sébastien Denis and Santi Aouna (via @iMiaSanMia):
Bayern, Leverkusen, Inter, Newcastle and Nottingham are very interested in Marseille winger Luis Henrique. The Italian side is showing the most concrete interest at the moment with an offer expected in the coming weeks. Vincent Kompany appreciates Henrique’s flexible profile and travelled personally to watch him live against PSG. Bayern are expected to make more concrete steps by the end of this month. Olympique Marseille would demand over €30m for the Brazilian.
Bayern held official discussions both with Marseille and with Henrique’s agents.
Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk (via @iMiaSanMia) confirmed that news:
Vincent Kompany and Christoph Freund were indeed in Paris last month to watch Luis Henrique against PSG. Bayern are interested in the Brazilian and talks have already taken place. But first of all, the club wants to see what happens with the other wingers in the team. A sale of Kingsley Coman would pave the way for the Henrique signing.
Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg also chimed in as a well (via @iMiaSanMia):
Bayern are interested in Luis Henrique. Max Eberl and Christoph Freund have already held talks with the player’s representatives and expressed Bayern’s interest. Possible price tag: €30-35m.
Falk and his colleague, Tobi Altschäffl, also noted that talks have already taken place between Bayern Munich and Henrique’s camp (via @iMiaSanMia):
Bayern’s scouting reports about Luis Henrique were very positive. Bayern scouts consider him the best in his position in France. Concrete talks with the player’s camp have taken place.
Finally, Denis and Aunoa checked back in (via @iMiaSanMia) to detail that — funny enough — the two primary clubs competing for Henrique are Bayern Munich and its Champions League foe, Inter Milan:
Inter and Bayern are the two clubs showing the most interest in Luis Henrique. The Italian side is considering submitting a bid worth €24m guaranteed plus €4m add-ons. Bayern, meanwhile, have intensified the contact with the player’s camp.
Of course, none of this guarantees anything for Bayern Munich or for Henrique. Even if Bayern Munich was to sign the talented winger, there might not be anywhere for him to play.
The latest report on Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz indicates that he is contemplating leaving Die Werkself and also that the Bavarians are thinking about going to any length (including a dreaded bank loan!) to get their man.
That would put the starting attacking quartet as Wirtz, Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Michael Olise, with high-priced subs like Leroy Sané (assuming he re-ups), Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman all part of the mix (at least as of now). None of that even includes the possibility of Paul Wanner, Mathys Tel, Bryan Zaragoza, Armindo Sieb, Gabriel Vidović, or Arijon Ibrahimović being part of the squad.
Heck, Bayern Munich could even view incoming central midfielder Tom Bischof (sometimes used as an attacking midfielder or a wing) as an attacker as well.
What does that all mean? Henrique might be a good, young player…but he likely would not start and other players would have to go to make it all work financially.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 38
Bayern Munich has had a tough go of late, but there is time to rebound.
With key match-ups ahead, the Bavarians are going to have to shake off any cobwebs and get focused on winning the Bundesliga, while also keeping their Champions League hopes alive. Let’s talk about all of that and more on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up. This is what we have on tap.
- Bayern Munich fans have had a tough couple of weeks. Sure, some of these issues were unforeseen, but — ultimately — this is not a horrible spot for the team to be in at this stage of the season. Let’s discuss why!
- German outlet kicker is reporting that Florian Wirtz is reconsidering his rumored contract extension with Bayer Leverkusen and could be available this summer. Bayern Munich might be willing to take out a loan to afford him…should they make the move?
- Thomas Müller to FC Cincinnati?
- Does Bayern Munich need to shed a midfielder this summer? If so…who? Tom Bischof could be arriving ready to play.
- A very brief Entertainment Rundown update.
Song of the Week: “Nighttrain” by Guns N’ Roses
Incredibly, almost all of the songs from Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses have held up over the years, but when you are shuffling your music and “Nighttrain” comes up out of nowhere, it just always hits.
Released in 1987, the album was MASSIVE and known for quite a few songs that were just absolute mega-hits. “Nighttrain”, though, was not one that got mainstream notoriety to the level of “Welcome to the Jungle” or “Sweet Child O’Mine.”
Still, it’s a classic, so enjoy it (plus we needed something hard hitting to help boost Bayern Munich this weekend for Der Klassiker):
Entertainment Rundown
Because of my travel schedule this week, I don’t have a formal review of anything, but I’m still watching Daredevil: Born Again and Landman. Landman is sensational so far…
I’ll be back on-point next week!
Plans for Wanner being developed
Paul Wanner has had a decent (not great) season at Heidenheim on loan, but the situation is largely hopeless. Now it is time to make his next move — either back to Bayern Munich or to a club competing in or for European play.
Sporting director Christoph Freund recently talked through the situation.
“We’ll discuss with Paul what’s best for him. Last year, he was loaned to Elversberg in the 2. Bundesliga. This year, he’s in his first year in the Bundesliga. Paul has already played a lot of games at the professional level for his age. He has enormous potential. The loan spells have been good for him, including now in Heidenheim, where he’s learning a lot of things that will be very important for his future career,” Freund told 90minuten Fußball (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show: Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund
Bayern Munich will host Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga for Der Klassiker where both teams are reeling from injuries and poor showings in the Champions League.
Vincent Kompany will have to work around the numerous injuries on the squad, but Niko Kovač is dealing with some things at BVB as well. We will dive deep into that and more during the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show. Here is what we have on tap:
- A look at where each team sits in the Bundesliga table and a review of how they performed in the Champions League (Hint: Not good).
- A look at the injury and suspension situations for both teams.
- A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI, which is a tough ask given all of the injuries.
- A prediction on the match.
Predictions
Bundesliga
Two desperate, banged up teams will engage in Der Klassiker this weekend — each needing to shake off a Champions League failure to try and cement their Bundesliga hopes.
Bayern Munich only holds a six-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund
Other Bundesliga predictions include:
- Wolfsburg 1-2 RB Leipzig
- Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Union Berlin
- VfL Bochum 0-1 FC Augsburg
- Hoffenheim 1-1 Mainz 05
- Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-1 SC Freiburg
- Holstein Kiel 2-1 St. Pauli
- VfB Stuttgart 2-1 Werder Bremen
- Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 Heidenheim
Prediction Records
- Last Week Bundesliga: 5-4 (Through Matchday 28)
- Overall Bundesliga: 117-135
- UEFA Nations League: 92-79
- Champions League: 98-82 (Through Matchday 12)
- DFB-Pokal: 44-18
- Total: 343-314
- Perfect Picks: 52 (when the score and winner is predicted exactly)
