Daily Schmankerl: Liverpool ahead of Manchester City in race for Bayern Munich transfer target Florian Wirtz?; Arsenal wants Benjamin Šeško, Viktor Gyökeres; Real Madrid closes deal on Dean Huijsen; Newcastle wants BVB stars; and MORE!

Bayern Munich travels to Hoffenheim…are you ready?

LFC ahead City? Say it ain’t so because it might not matter anyway (CaughtOffside)

Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk is reporting that Liverpool FC might be taking a run at trying to jump ahead of Manchester City in the race for Bayern Munich transfer target and Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz:

Liverpool may consider their hopes of beating FC Bayern to Florian Wirtz a little slim. Still, they can take comfort from the fact that they are considered ahead of domestic rivals Manchester City. That’s despite Pep Guardiola having made personal overtures to Wirtz ahead of the summer window.

Even with that, Falk says that both Liverpool and Manchester City are both still longshots behind Bayern Munich:

It’s probably best to categorise Liverpool’s chances of winning the race for the German international as unlikely at best. Indeed, despite evident interest from the Premier League in Florian Wirtz, Christian Falk now reports that Bayern Munich are ‘optimistic’ of completing the signing.

“We have already reported that Manchester City have made an offer for the German,” the head of football at BILD exclusively informed CaughtOffside. “Apparently, however, there has also been a meeting with Liverpool FC. As things stand, Liverpool are further ahead than Man City in the poker. But, the truth is: FC Bayern are still optimistic that they will get their dream player. Either this summer or in 2026, as his contract runs until 2027.”

As for how much it will cost to get Wirtz, even Falk has some doubt that Bayern Munich’s rumored offer will be close to enough to get the Germany international:

Bayern are understood to be preparing an opening bid in the region of €100m [£84.6m]. However, it remains to be seen whether this will touch the sides for Bayer Leverkusen. Given the scale of interest, the former Bundesliga champions are well within their rights to get a fee closer to their preferred asking price of €150m [£126.3m].

On their podcast, Falk and his colleague, Tobi Altschäffl, indicated that Bayern Munich is “very, very certain” that the club will get Wirtz (via @iMiaSanMia). Here is the exchange:

@cfbayern: ‘Bayern are very certain that Florian Wirtz will join them. They’re very calm and say that [Wirtz family] can speak to whoever they want. When you speak to Bayern bosses, you get the impression that Wirtz will certainly join them’

@altobelli13: ‘They’re very, very certain. We’ve learned about this agreement [Wirtz-Bayern] from the club’

Report: Frimpong, LFC in final stages (@Fabrizio Romano)

Bayer Leverkusen’s bleed out continues…Jeremie Frimpong is allegedly in the final stages of a move to Liverpool FC:

Jeremie Frimpong and Liverpool, deal at the final stages now as every detail of personal terms has been almost agreed as expected.

No issues on release clause as Liverpool are in direct contact with Leverkusen since Monday over installments for €35/40m.

Here we go, soon!

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 43 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich is rounding into its final week of the Bundesliga season, so you all know what that means — the insanity of the summer transfer window has already begun.

Let’s check in on some of the latest news and tackle where we are at with all of it. This is what we have on tap for the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• The Bayern Munich Frauen have hired a new coach!
• Xabi Alonso already throwing weight around at Real Madrid?
• Bayer Leverkusen is going to face a mass exodus this summer.
• How are we all feeling about Bayern Munich’s pursuit of Florian Wirtz?
• The dilemma — integrating young players without much hope for playing time or to loan them out? Let’s explore the complexities of this in Bavaria.
• Kim Min-jae might have fallen out of favor at Bayern Munich. Will he he stick with the club if the Jonathan Tah signing goes through?

Huijsen gets “Here we go’d” by Romano (@FabrizioRomano)

It looks like Xabi Alonso got his man at Real Madrid — Bournemouth center-back Dean Huijsen:

Bayern, NUFC eyeing Nkunku (ESPN)

Bayern Munich and Newcastle United are both reportedly interested in Chelsea FC Christopher Nkunku:

Liverpool have joined the race for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, according to Footmercato. The 27-year-old has reportedly been added to the Reds’ shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window, with belief that his versatility could make him a strong addition to manager Arne Slot’s side. Bayern Munich and Newcastle United are said to remain interested in Nkunku, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge for around £50 million after making nine Premier League starts this season.

Nkunku is someone who Bayern Munich has been rumored to have interested in for quite a few years now. Nkunku can play as a striker (or second striker), attacking midfield, or left wing.

Nkunku has 14 goals and five assists in 42 games across all competitions, but did do most of his damage in the Conference League (five goals and three assists in nine games across all competitions).

It could be argued that Nkunku might have trouble slotting into a wing role at Bayern Munich (assuming Florian Wirtz moves to Bayern Munich this summer and takes the No. 10 job).

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

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich will travel to Sinsheim to square off with Hoffenheim in the final game of the Bundesliga season. The match will also mark the final Bundesliga appearance with Bayern Munich for club legend Thomas Müller.

There is plenty to chat about, so let’s get to it. Here is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show:

• A look at where each team is in the table and also a look back at the first match.
• A look at the injury and suspension situations for both teams.
• The end is near for Thomas Müller.
• Tom Bischof’s last appearance for Hoffenheim will be against his new team.
• A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI.
• A prediction on the match.

Inter to make shock move for Zirkzee? (ESPN)

As much as many want him to be better, former Bayern Munich prospect Joshua Zirkzee is just a guy. Still, his tantalizing potential has intrigued Inter Milan:

Internazionale are likely to move for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee, according to Calciomercato. The San Siro club want to strengthen their forward line by signing a player who provides a different option to Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram. Despite his poor Premier League form, Inter believe the 23-year-old has room for growth and he is more suited to Serie A. Inter plan to propose a loan deal with the option to make the move permanent, which could become an obligation if certain conditions are met.

Walker, Félix out at Milan? (ESPN)

Both Kyle Walker and João Félix could be out at AC Milan:

Kyle Walker and João Félix now appear certain to leave AC Milan at the end of their loan spells and return to their parent clubs, Gazzetta dello Sport reports. Walker moved to the San Siro from Man City, while Felix switched on a temporary basis from Chelsea. The report says that Milan will not take up their €5m option to sign England right-back Walker, while Felix has failed to shine and there will be no attempt to keep him.

Bavarian Podcast Works — The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl: Matchday 33 (Bavarian Podcast Works)

The penultimate episode of The Bundesliga Rundown is here — and it’s an emotional one.

History swept across Germany on Matchday 33, and Marcus is feeling it.

In this episode:

• Hamburg SV are back. Marcus dives into the long, painful road that brought Die Rothosen back to the Bundesliga.
• Thomas Müller: the greatest of all time? A personal reflection on what Müller truly means to Marcus — and to football in Bavaria.
• Xabi Alonso leaves Bayer Leverkusen — Is this the end of Bundesliga parity?
• … and much more!

Gnabry talks Kompany helping attackers (Bundesliga.com via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry recently spoke about how Vincent Kompany is improving the team’s attacking group.

“I think also on the defensive side. It’s very important to him, the defensive side. So, I think also for us as strikers, having to press, trying to get the ball back as quick as possible, is a good thing. And for sure he kind of brought us very close together as a team, as a squad. I think we have a great spirit right now. And personally, he’s very good and very determined, is very keen on the basics, which I also think in the long run are always good,” Gnabry said.

NUFC scoping two BVB stars? (Daily Mail via ESPN)

Newcastle United might be looking to make moves for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and winger Jamie Gittens:

Newcastle are looking at two Borussia Dortmund players: 20-year-old winger Jamie Gittens, and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, 27.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 42 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich hearts and souls were filled with joy and tears simultaneously as Thomas Müller bid adieu to the Bayern faithful at the Allianz Arena. While Bayern has very little to play for in their final game, there are critical season-defining fixtures for Hoffenheim, Eintracht Frankfurt, SC Freiburg, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Mainz coming up. This is what we have for this episode:

• Final thoughts on Thomas Müller’s “testimonial” against Borussia Mönchengladbach
• A nod to Manuel Neuer who had a fantastic game against Gladbach
• The ongoing negotiations concerning Leroy Sané and Dayot Upamecano
• After Xabi Alonso’s announced departure, we discuss what constitutes longevity for a Bundesliga coach
• Samrin gets carried away with different permutations about how the third, fourth and fifth placed teams might end up in either the UEFA Champions League or the Europa League!
• Samrin also gets carried away with different permutations for second and third spots in the 2.Bundesliga!

Kane details importance of mental strength (UEFA via @iMiaSanMia)

At different points, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has had his resolve tested. Recently, the English took some time to touch on the mental strength needed for today’s game.

“You play a lot of games throughout the years, you don’t have much time off to process anything. So, there are going to be highs and there are going to be lows, you have to accept that there are going to be times when you don’t feel as good mentally as other times, but it’s just about trying to remember all the hard work that you’ve done to get here. It’s a dream to be playing football for a living and playing in front of thousands of fans every week in stadiums,” said Kane. “It’s a tough environment when things are going not so well, when you’re losing games, but I think that’s when the real kind of characters and leaders stand up and show their true colours. It’s important not to change who you are, no matter what the moment, not to get too high or too low. It’s just to stay focused on what you can do and try and improve and help the team, and that’s what I try and to do.”

Gunners to take run at Šeško, Gyökeres? (Independent via ESPN)

Arsenal FC is reportedly lasered in on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres:

Arsenal want a striker and have narrowed their search to two players: RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško 21, or Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, 26.

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