Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich seeking to sell João Palhinha; Real Madrid to swipe FC Barcelona transfer target; Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool want Eintracht Frankfurt striker; Tim Kleindienst to stay at Gladbach; and MORE!

Bayern Munich is putting in work…off the field.

Bayern is shopping Palhinha, but midfielder doesn’t want to leave (kicker via @iMiaSanMia)

According to kicker journalist Georg Holzner, Bayern Munich is seeking to offload defensive midfielder João Palhinha, but the Portugal international is not exactly eager to leave the club.

One thing that could sway Palhinha’s decision is the plan that Vincent Kompany has for him in 2025/26. If the 29-year-old is not an integral figure on the roster, he might be more open to an exit:

Bayern have sounded out the market to explore potential buyers for João Palhinha. The player, meanwhile, has no thoughts of leaving Munich as things stand. Talks between Bayern and Palhinha are expected to take place over the summer in order to understand the plans of both sides and avoid another season like the one that just ended. Vincent Kompany’s plans with Palhinha will be crucial to determine his future.

According to a report from Sport Bild journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Bayern Munich wants “over €30 million” for Palhinha:

Bayern are hoping for a sale of João Palhinha for over €30 million. West Ham and Fulham were candidates.

At this point, it is tough to imagine how much Palhinha’s situation will improve. Limited by injuries and the squad’s midfield depth, Palhinha was a bit player for Bayern Munich in 2024/25.

Osimhen spurns Juve (ESPN)

Striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly turned down the chance to move to Juventus:

Victor Osimhen has rejected the chance to join Juventus, paving the way for Arsenal and Manchester United to battle for his signature. Reports in Italy from Il Mattino and Radio Kiss Kiss state that the 26-year-old, who scored 36 goals in all competitions on loan at Galatasaray this season, has no intention of joining the Turin club. The Nigeria international has a €75m release clause in his Napoli contract, which has a year to run with the club having the option to trigger an extension to 2027.

However, Napoli may struggle to find a club willing to meet that price, with the two Premier League teams having other options. Arsenal are strongly linked to Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, while Man United are set to move for Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liam Delap of Ipswich Town.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Special Edition: Breaking down Germany’s call-ups for the UEFA Nations League Final Four (Bavarian Football Works)

Julian Nagelsmann and the DFB just dropped the 26-man roster for the UEFA Nations League Final Four. With a baffling number of injuries plaguing the squad, Nagelsmann will lean on some familiar names as well as some fresh faces to take on Portugal in the hopes of reaching the Final in Munich.

With Kai Havertz, Nico Schlotterbeck, Antonio Rüdiger, Jamal Musiala, and more still injured, Nagelsmann will need to be creative to get the most out of this tournament. Among the callups is newcomer Nick Woltemade, who is having a breakthrough season at VfB Stuttgart.

Robin Gosens and Niclas Füllkrug return to the national team to provide some veteran experience and round out the squad. Despite the injuries, does Germany have enough to win their first title since the Confederations Cup in 2017? While this might not be the Euros, a successful tournament would be a massive indicator heading into the 2026 World Cup.

Olise, Musiala, Upamecano names to another TotS (@TheAthleticFC)

Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Dayot Upamecano were named to The Athletic’s Bundesliga Team of the Season:

Williams to…Real? (ESPN)

Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has been mostly linked to FC Barcelona, along with a few Premier League clubs, but Real Madrid could be launching itself into the mix:

Athletic Club winger Nico Williams has emerged as an attractive prospect for Real Madrid, according to Marca, adding that a move could be simple to complete due to his €58 million release clause. Arsenal had been considered favourites to sign the 22-year-old in the summer window, and the emergence of Los Blancos could force the Gunners to move quicker. A year ago Williams was expected to sign for Barcelona, before committing to Athletic Club for another year. With Rodrygo likely to exit the Bernabéu, Madrid are looking for a replacement.

WIlliams is rumored to be a big target for Bayern Munich, but the Bavarians have other irons in the fire at the moment.

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.

Kompany likes Buchmann, but it will be a long road ahead (Sky Sport’s Kerry Hau via @iMiaSanMia_GER)

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany is reportedly a big fan of oft-injured center-back Tarek Buchmann, but it is unclear when the youngster will actually be ready for first team play:

Vincent Kompany likes Tarek Buchmann. However, Buchmann is still in rehabilitation training, and it’s not yet clear if and when he’ll be fit enough to be introduced to the first team.

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.

Højlund headed back to Italy? (@FabrizioRomano)

Manchester United striker Rasmus Højlund could have opportunities to go back to Italy, where he first really got on the football radar:

Rasmus Højlund keeps attracting interest from Italy — understand Inter are also considering him as option for this summer.

After Juventus and Napoli calls in March, Inter also explored Højlund situation. It’s up to Man United.

Leipzig to sell Openda, Lukeba? (Sky Sport’s Philipp Hinze via @GGFN_)

RB Leipzig could be looking to sell off both attacker Lois Openda and center-back Castello Lukeba:

RB Leipzig would be open to selling Loïs Openda if they receive a fee of at least €60m.

Castello Lukeba could also leave due to his €90m release clause, but Leipzig may be open to negotiations at €80m.

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.

Kompany details what makes Bayern special (DAZN via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany recently spoke through why the club is so special.

“Despite being global and super advanced in terms of branding and the commercial [side], it remains a very traditional club. So, wherever Bayern goes, it’s still the club people from the 1990s, 80s, 70s, or 60s can associate with. It lives everyday within this club, that tradition. We’re trying to continue the next chapter of this club, of course, and you also feel the full power and full commitment to achieving footballing success in the future,” Kompany said.

Chelsea, Gunners, LFC want Ekitiké (ESPN)

Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, and Liverpool FC could be the top three clubs in contention for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké:

Chelsea face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool in the battle to sign Hugo Ekitiké from Eintracht Frankfurt, RMC Sport reports. The 22-year-old scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, leading to speculation of a move to the Premier League. The report states that Frankfurt want to get €80m to €100m for the striker, who struggled at Paris Saint-Germain — due 20% of the transfer fee — last season before moving to the Bundesliga.

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?

Kleindienst to stay at Gladbach (@Plettigioal)

As of now, Tim Kleindienst will not leave Borussia Mönchengladbach:

Clear tendency: Tim #Kleindienst will not leave Borussia Mönchengladbach in the summer (despite) enquiries!

#BMG are also planning with him staying.

Kleindienst will be out for up to four months following knee surgery. The meniscus was affected. As a result, he will miss the start of the Bundesliga season on 22 August.

Müller and Pavlović talks about the times (FCBayern.com via @iMiaSanMia)

During Bayern Munich’s 125th Anniversary celebration, Thomas Müller and Aleksandar Pavlović did a photoshoot and interview talking through subjects, including how times have changed:

Thomas Müller and Aleks Pavlović in ‘time travelling’ interview with the club’s magazine #Säbener51 for Bayern’s 125th anniversary

Pavlović: [struggling with the buttons on his trousers] “Did they really play football in shirts back then? Should it be that big? Just getting dressed would take me too long [laughs]. But I’d be very curious to find out what it was like to play in these clothes. How well you could walk in them, for example when it rained. How football was played back then. I find that exciting. It’s completely different, not really my style at all. And the fact that people used to play football in it… I don’t think I could do it. Although it’s looser than I thought.”

Müller: “Well, I think you could play in these clothes. I certainly don’t feel uncomfortable. The trousers don’t necessarily have to go above the knee, but they’re very airy and you can move well in them. Maybe the length was also helpful for sliding. I honestly don’t know if you could play anywhere on the finest grass back then.”

• What will stick with you when you take the kits off again?

Pavlović: “The weight of the shoes. Also how unfamiliar the material feels. The trousers are really hard. The shirt is really just a shirt.”

Müller: “What sticks in my mind is the history that Bayern stands for. My football knowledge starts with Bayern’s promotion in 1965. You know the pictures from the Grünwalder Stadion. And I’ve been lucky enough to get to know some of the players from that time over the years. The way this club has developed is phenomenal.”

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