Florian Wirtz at Bayern Munich would be terrific…
2026 at the latest — Bayern believes it will get Wirtz (Sport Bild via @iMiaSanMia_GER)
It does not sound as if Bayern Munich has any doubt about where Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz will end up:
Bayern’s management is absolutely certain: Florian Wirtz will arrive this summer or by 2026 at the latest. This was promised to the club. The family’s trip to England was taken in stride. Hoeneß even confirmed the trip and classified it as fact.
Bayern Munich does appear to be in the driver’s seat, especially with Manchester City exiting the race. Oddly, City might have been a more serious competitor than Liverpool given the vast wealth within the club’s coffers and also because of Pep Guardiola. No offense to Arne Slot, but he does not hold the same cache as Pep Guardiola.
Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg added more information on where things stand between Wirtz and Liverpool:
♂️ UPDATE | Florian #Wirtz remains Liverpool’s absolute dream target for the number 10 role. #LFC are maintaining contact with the Wirtz family and Wirtz himself — as are FC Bayern.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no official offers have been received by Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Stay or go? Internally, Wirtz still hasn’t informed Leverkusen of his decision. That’s exactly what everyone involved is currently waiting for.
It is not impossible for Liverpool to win the Wirtz Sweepstakes, but it will not be easy. Rarely have we seen Bayern Munich this determined to get a player in recent years.
Félix wants to go back to Benfica (CaughtOffside via 90Min.com)
Is there a more disappointing player than João Félix in Europe? It would be hard to find one. The starcrossed attacker now — allegedly — wants to go back to Benfica:
João Félix is keen to return to Benfica this summer and has already started talks over a departure from Chelsea.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 44 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich is readying for a busy offseason, the German national team is preparing for the UEFA Nations League Final Four, and there is a lot of news dropping by the hour.
We’ll hit on some of the biggest stories out there and attempt keep pace with the rapid flow of news and information. Let’s get to it — this is what we have on tap for the Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show:
- Jamal Musiala is out for the UEFA Nations League per Bayern Munich’s request. How much does that hurt Germany?
- What will Germany’s roster look like?
- Is Liverpool FC really a serious contender for Florian Wirtz?
- Why Bayern Munich cannot afford to wait until 2026 to get Wirtz.
- Leroy Sané is still in limbo and everyone seems fine with it.
Mintzlaff addresses Gomez rumor (Sky Sport via @iMiaSanMia)
RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has heard the rumors linking Red Bull Soccer technical director Mario Gomez to Bayern Munich and does not put much weight into them.
“I personally, and we as a club, have an excellent relationship with FC Bayern. But Mario Gomez feels very comfortable with us and has just extended his contract. FC Bayern just signed Max Eberl. I’m quite certain that Mario Gomez will not move to FC Bayern,” said Mintzlaff.
Speaking to Sport1, Max Eberl also commented on the Gomez rumor.
“When I first read the links I thought it was about a Harry Kane back-up [laughs] but then I realized it was about me. Of course it’s not nice, but I’m doing my job with everything I can and make decisions I and the club are convinced of. I can’t influence what’s being said and written on the outside,” Eberl stated.
Mazraoui says Moose was best teammate (Manchester United via @iMiaSanMia)
Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui named his best teammate — Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala.
“I’ve played with quite some good, good players. But I have to go with Jamal Musiala. He did crazy things,” Mazraoui noted.
Bavarian Podcast Works — The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl: Matchday 34 (Bavarian Football Works)
The final episode of The Bundesliga Rundown – for this season!
Marcus wraps up the campaign by going team by team – yes, all of them – to break down what went right, what went wrong, and what’s next for each club.
In this episode, we dive into:
- Bayern Munich’s solid first year under Vincent Kompany
- Bayer Leverkusen’s worrying late-season dip
- RB Leipzig: “They are not serious people!”
- Growing doubts about Gerardo Seoane at Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Why it’s great news that St. Pauli are staying up
- FC Hollywood? Forget it – the real drama is in Dortmund, the most entertaining club in the league
- …and so much more.
Villa, PSG competing for Rashford? (ESPN)
Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain could be vying for Marcus Rashford this summer:
Aston Villa could face competition from Paris Saint-Germain to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United this summer, The Sun reports. While Villa have a permanent transfer option built into the winger’s loan agreement, his high salary could be prohibitive. If they fail to agree a deal, PSG could become a viable option once again for Rashford, who almost joined the Ligue 1 side in 2022. According to the report, Rashford has revived talks with PSG sporting director Luis Campos over a potential move.
Juve, Napoli eyeing Lookman (ESPN)
Juventus and Napoli could be taking a close look at Atalanta attacker Ademola Lookman:
Ademola Lookman appears certain to leave Atalanta at the end of the season with Juventus and Napoli leading the chase for his signature, according to Calciomercato. The reports says that Lookman wanted to leave summer, but he was convinced to stay for one more season. A rift between Lookman and manager Gian Piero Gasperini means there is now no way back, and Juve have already held extensive talks. Atalanta say offers must start at €60m for a player who has 18 goals and seven assists this season. As well as Napoli, the report adds that there will be “significant competition from top English clubs.” Nottingham Forest have been linked with the former Everton player.
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.
Rummenigge recalls feeling of relief in 2013 (Abendzeitung’s Maximilian Koch via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge can recall the relief he felt when the team won the Champions League in 2013.
“In 2013, the wound from 2012 healed for me personally, because we won the treble for the first time in Bayern’s history. Our team, including Thomas Müller, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Manuel Neuer, Ribéry and Robben, was united; they deserved it. But the journey to Wembley Stadium was terrible. We were on the road for an hour and a half; there was crazy traffic in London. Uli and I didn’t say a word. We were so stressed because although we won the league, that game would decide who had the power in Germany: us or Dortmund,” said Rummenigge.
New defense for Real? (ESPN)
Per Diario AS, Real Madrid is lining up a new defense:
Real Madrid will have a “new defence” for the Club World Cup. New signings Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras are all expected to be in place for the tournament, and could go straight into the starting XI under new coach Xabi Alonso.
Part of the reason for the push for something new per Marca is there are doubts over some of the existing core group on the backline:
There are doubts over the long-term futures of Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba at Real Madrid. Militao is coming back from a second ACL tear, Rudiger has played through pain all season, and Alaba — who has a year left on his contract — has also been slow to return from his own ACL injury.
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?
Gunners to chase Rodrygo (@Plettigoal)
Arsenal FC could be plotting a major move to get Real Madrid’s Rodrygo:
BREAKING | Understand Arsenal are now seriously considering a transfer for #Rodrygo!
Talks have begun behind the scenes. The 24-year-old is a potential departure candidate at Real Madrid.
It’s difficult but Arsenal are currently exploring all options for a possible… pic.twitter.com/oLDL1h0xeu
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 21, 2025
Hincapié out at Leverkusen? (@Plettigoal)
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié could be ready to leave Bayer Leverkusen:
⚫️ EXCL | Piero Hincapié’s agent, Manuel Sierra, told me for Sky: „Piero‘s future is open. There are enquiries. He feels comfortable in Leverkusen, but this summer could be a good moment for the next step.”
23-y/o top centre-back has a release clause in his contract, valid this summer.
Worth €60m!
As previously reported and now officially confirmed: A departure of #Hincapié from Leverkusen is possible!
