Daily Schmankerl: Jupp Heynckes offers sage advice to Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz; Manchester United wants Jonathan Tah; Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Chelsea want Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres: and MORE!

WIll Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz be playing together next season at Bayern Munich?

Heynckes gives Wirtz, Musiala advice (kicker via @iMiaSanMia)

Legendary German football player and manager Jupp Heynckes might not follow football as closely as he used to, but he does have some advice for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.

“What I said about Wirtz applies similarly to Musiala. But Musiala still has a lot of work to do, especially physically. He’s a fine, elegant player with great dribbling, a change of pace, and a superb instep kick. He’s also scoring goals with headers these days. But he’s not yet the player he might become in a few years. He needs to work on that,” Heynckes told kicker.

It remains to be seen if Wirtz will make the move to Bayern Munich, but is a strong possibility. Manchester City and Real Madrid are also interested, while Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC are likely on the periphery, too.

Freund wants healthy Gnabry (Sky via @iMiaSanMia)

Sporting director Christoph Freund wants to see what a full season of a healthy Serge Gnabry might look like at Bayern Munich.

“I think the issue with Serge is that we need to get him fit for the long term. Then he can do decisive things. He’s extremely dangerous in front of goal and an important player for us. He also did really well against Inter when he came on. He’s really fit again now,” Freund said.

Bavarian Podcast Works — The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl: Matchday 32 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich are Bundesliga champions for 2024/25 – but the real drama is happening further down the table.

In this episode, we cover:

• A quick nod to the champions and Vincent Kompany’s debut triumph
• Why FC St. Pauli and VfL Bochum add depth to the Bundesliga
• Holstein Kiel’s impressive season – even if it ends in relegation
• Marcel Rapp: the mastermind of Kiel’s northern fairytale
• Hoffenheim’s bizarre rollercoaster of a season
• …and plenty more!

United wants Tah (ESPN)

Bayern Munich is rumored to be contemplating a move for Bayer Leverkusen center-back Jonathan Tah, but FC Barcelona has been considered to be the favorite. However, Manchester United could also jump into the mix:

Manchester United are ready to step in steal Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah from under Barcelona’s noses, according to Sky Sports Deutschland. The 29-year-old is a free agent in the summer and will leave the Bundesliga club. It seemed certain that the Germany international would be moving to LaLiga, but negotiations are close to breaking down due to uncertainty over Barcelona being able to register him amid their financial constraints. It’s opened the door for Man United to make a move, and they have held initial discussions, though their chances of success may rest on winning the Europa League and qualifying for next season’s Champions League. With the Europa League final on May 21, if United get there, Tah will soon discover if Old Trafford is a realistic option. Bayern Munich could also look to make a late attempt to sign the player.

Kimmich, Sané recognized for efforts (@WhoScored)

Leroy Sané and Joshua Kimmich were recognized by WhoScored.com with spots on their Bundesliga Team of the Week:

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 41 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich was crowned Bundesliga champions during a watch party, but hey, it has been that kind of season. We have a full slate of topics to untangle, so let’s get to it. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:

• Bayern Munich won its 34th German championship, 33rd Bundesliga title — how much it meant to Harry Kane, Eric Dier, and, yes, even Thomas Müller.
• It was not the best way to win it, but the beer showers will surely flow next week.
• Bayer Leverkusen’s descent continues.
• Late drama with Leroy Sané’s contract extension as it went from done deal to in doubt within hours — thanks Pini Zahavi!
• Kingsley Coman doesn’t want to leave Bayern Munich.
• Serge Gnabry to back up Harry Kane? It can work.

Real got its man in Alexander-Arnold move (ESPN)

On Sunday, we saw this story emerge regarding the long anticipated pairing of Real Madrid and Liverpool FC right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold:

Real Madrid are hopeful of signing Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, according to Diario AS. The 26-year-old’s contract doesn’t expire until the end of June, but it’s reported that Liverpool would be open to “waiving” the final month of his salary, while also accepting a small fee from Los Blancos that is expected to be under €1 million. The Club World Cup is set to begin June 14, with a special transfer window from June 1 to June 10 so clubs at the Club World Cup can add to their squads. If a deal cannot be agreed, clubs can also make changes to their Club World Cup squads around July 1.

By Monday morning, the defender was dropping his formal exit post on X:

After 20 years at Liverpool Football Club, now is the time for me to confirm that I will be leaving at the end of the season.

This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life.

I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.

This club has been my whole life – my whole world – for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.

But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.

I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club, and I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody – my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters – for the last 20 years.

I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.

Later, Fabrizio Romano would “here we go” Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, which seems to always cement things.

Pavlović praises Müller (@_kochmaximilian via @iMiaSanMia)

Aleks Pavlović has a deep appreciation for Thomas Müller.

“Thomas is an outstanding footballer and person. We all will miss him very much. It’s obviously difficult for all of us that he’s leaving,” said Pavlović.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: RB Leipzig 3-3 Bayern Munich (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich traveled to RB Leipzig and earned a tough 3-3 draw in a match that will not leave either side satisfied. Bayern Munich needed the win to clinch the title, while RB Leipzig needed three points to help keep its European hopes alive.

The Bavarians fell behind, then fought all the way back to take the lead…and collapsed in an utterly deflating fashion. What a mess…

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 patchwork lineup. Injuries and a suspension to Harry Kane were obstacles.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.

Gyökeres drawing a crowd (ESPN)

Arsenal FC, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Chelsea FC are all eyeing Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres:

Multiple clubs are in the race to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres, reports Sky Sports Deutschland. Talks have taken place between Arsenal and the 26-year-old’s representatives, with the Gunners viewing him as a more attainable reinforcement than Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. An offer worth between €60m and €70m would be enough to land him, and Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea are keeping tabs on his situation.

Chelsea wants a big fee for Nkunku (TodoFichajes via 90Min.com)

If Christopher Nkunku is leaving Chelsea FC, the club will want a big fee for him:

Chelsea will demand a fee of €75m (£64.4m) to part ways with France forward Christopher Nkunku, who is wanted by Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United. The Blues have also considered using Nkunku in a swap deal for Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 41 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich is in the homestretch of the season, but the news surrounding the team continues to heat up. Let’s talk about everything going on with the squad on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• The Frauen have clinched the domestic double.
• The Florian Wirtz news was all over the place this week. Let’s check in to see where things stand.
• Why Xabi Alonso’s potential move to Real Madrid might not be enough to sway Wirtz despite reports.
• Let’s discuss that wild story about Bayern Munich trying to convince Thomas Müller to join LAFC — and how a home in Beverly Hills might be part of the deal.
• Frans Kratzig, we hardly knew ye.

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