Daily Schmankerl: Are Bayern Munich and Liverpool butting heads over Florian Wirtz?; Cristiano Ronaldo headed to Brazil?; Bayern, Dortmund, Atalanta, Manchester City, PSG, Newcastle United, and Crystal Palace eyeing Rayan Cherki; and MORE!

Let’s make a deal…

The latest on Bayern, LFC, and Wirtz (The Times via @iMiaSanMia)

Reporters Paul Joyce and Paul Hirst of The Times are saying that it is a two-horse race for Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz — with Bayern Munich and Liverpool FC playing the starring roles now that Manchester City has reportedly dropped out of the running:

Florian Wirtz is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Liverpool and Bayern after Manchester City pulled out of the running for the player. Bayern have been considered as favourites to sign Wirtz and there are suggestions that he could visit the Bundesliga club this week as the battle for his signature intensifies. Wirtz is also the subject of strong interest from Liverpool, who are making a pitch to him and trying to persuade him to opt for a new challenge away from his homeland. Wirtz could also stay at Leverkusen for another season.

It would be utterly shocking for Liverpool to swoop in here. It still feels like this is Bayern Munich pursuit to win. The only real question is how difficult Bayer Leverkusen wants to make this for Bayern Munich.

At some point, if Wirtz declares he wants out and only wants to go to Bayern Munich, it could force Bayer Leverkusen’s hand to just get a deal done. It should not be forgotten that Bayer Leverkusen is under major duress in terms of potentially losing players, while also already having lost head coach Xabi Alonso.

Getting Bayer Leverkusen to be flexible might not be that easy.

Ronaldo to play with Brazilian club for Club World Cup (ESPN)

Cristiano Ronaldo could be looking to link up with a Brazilian club to play in the Club World Cup this summer:

Cristiano Ronaldo has received an offer from a Brazilian club ahead of the Club World Cup, according to Marca. While it is unclear which side has made the bid for the Portugal veteran, it is reportedly a major offer including significant contributions from outside investors. The four Brazilian clubs who are taking part in next month’s inaugural expanded tournament in the United States are Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo. Ronaldo’s current club Al Nassr have endured a difficult season, with no titles and a failure to qualify for next season’s Asian Champions League. The 40-year-old forward has scored 97 goals in 109 games since joining the Saudi club in 2023.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 43 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich’s season is over, but the real work might just be beginning.

This is a crucial offseason for the Bavarians and the coaching staff and front office will be hard at work to try and maneuver the roster in a way that will set up the squad for the 2025/26 campaign. We have a lot to say about that, so let’s get to it.

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

• How should we view this season…and what did we learn?
• The standard must be — and will be — higher next season.
• Is there reason to think that Harry Kane might see out his contract…or even stay longer?
• Bayern Munich has key decisions to make in the coming weeks as Dayot Upamecano, Leroy Sané, Sacha Boey, and João Palhinha are among the players where movement is possible (in one way or another). Let’s break those situations down.
• Is this a Florian Wirtz-free podcast? Almost, but not quite.
• Some notes about the Bavarian Podcast Works summer schedule.

Bayern among clubs eyeing Cherki (TeamTalk)

Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, and Crystal Palace are among the clubs who could make a move for outgoing Lyon winger Rayan Cherki:

Rayan Cherki has confirmed he will leave Lyon at the end of the season, sparking a flurry of interest across Europe as clubs line up to trigger his modest €20m release clause, with Tottenham among his suitors, TEAMtalk understands. We understand that Tottenham are firmly in the mix, though they’re holding fire until after the Europa League final.

A Champions League spot and clarity over the managerial situation – with departing Ajax boss Francesco Farioli still the frontrunner, as TEAMtalk revealed on May 14 – will be decisive factors in whether Spurs move forward decisively.

Borussia Dortmund remain interested in Cherki after previously exploring a deal in January. They considered triggering the release clause earlier this year but opted to wait. Fresh developments could occur soon with regards to Dortmund and Cherki, but no new moves have been made since February, when they were last in contact.

Serie A outfit Atalanta are another club keeping tabs. Talks with Cherki’s camp took place last summer but stalled over doubts surrounding his temperament. However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s potential contract renewal as manager of Atalanta – and his proven ability to manage strong personalities – could breathe new life into their pursuit.

Beyond those three, several elite sides have gathered information, including Bayern Munich, Manchester City, PSG, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace.

Upamecano, Olise, Kimmich, Musiala, Kane recognized for season efforts (@WhoScored)

Bayern Munich stars Dayot Upamecano, Michael Olise, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, and Harry Kane were named to WhoScored.com’s Bundesliga Team of the Season:

Olise was also WhoScored.com’s Bundesliga Player of the Season:

Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Hoffenheim 0-4 Bayern Munich (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich traveled to Hoffenheim for Thomas Müller’s final Bundesliga game with the club and the Bavarians sent him out a winner with a 4-0 victory.

Bayern Munich closes this Bundesliga chapter as champions once again, so let’s talk about how it all played out on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. This is what we have on tap:

• A look at the starting XI.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• Tom Bischoff and Thomas Müller each got a deserved send off while leaving the pitch.
• Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.
• So…where we do we all go from here?

Barca has long list of players it wants to sell (Sport via @ESPN)

FC Barcelona has a laundry list of players it would like to sell. The problem? Many of them probably do not want to leave:

Barcelona’s financial situation is still a problem and the club would consider offers for a host of players, including Ronald Araújo, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Ansu Fati, Inaki Pena, Hector Fort, Fermin Lopez, Pablo Torre and Pau Victor.

Ekitiké wants out of Eintracht (@Plettigoal)

Hugo Ekitiké believes he is ready for his next step and has — allegedly — informed Eintracht Frankfurt that he wants to leave:

Hugo #Ekitike wants to take the next step and is still planning a move this summer!

Eintracht Frankfurt have been informed, as previously reported. Markus Krösche continues to demand €100m. #SGE

Ekitike has been one of the key figures behind Eintracht Frankfurt’s Champions League qualification: 15 goals and 8 assists in the Bundesliga. Incredible season.

Ekitiké is a very good player, but €100 million is just far too much. He must prove he can be an effective solo striker to warrant that much of a fee.

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 stick with the club if the Jonathan Tah signing goes through?

Musiala shares who he could share a flat with (Redaktions Netzwerk Deutschland via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala is not quite sure he would want to share a flat with any of his teammates, but if he had to, he would take in Alphonso Davies as a roommate…for a few days.

“I have to say that I really like my peace and quiet. I could perhaps survive a few days in a flat with Phonzy. But then I would rather enjoy the time I have for myself,” Musiala said.

Alonso wants to keep Modrić (Radio Marca via ESPN)

If anyone would know the value of a veteran midfielder, it is Xabi Alonso. Per at least one report, Alonso wants Real Madrid to keep Luka Modrić around for next season:

However, incoming coach Xabi Alonso has asked Madrid to extend Modric’s contract by one more season. Alonso believes Modric remains an important leader in the dressing room, and the player would be willing to accept another year with reduced playing time.

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