Bayern Munich’s reputation for having a high maintenance locker room is well-earned.
However, Joshua Kimmich says that the Bavarians actually had even bigger egos in the locker room back when he started with the first team back in 2015/2016.
“When I started at Bayern nine years ago, there were a lot more big egos in the dressing room than there are now, and also with the national team after the 2014 World Cup. I don’t think we are a generation of egoists. Quite the opposite, in fact, as I am currently experiencing. I therefore believe that something like that is often interpreted from the outside when you are not winning or when there’s general unrest,” Kimmich said.
Kimmich might have a point. Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry, Arturo Vidal, Philipp Lahm, Thiago Alcântara, Jérôme Boateng, Manuel Neuer, David Alaba among others…yeah, those are some egos.
FC Barcelona might be planning to use its Nike money (and influence) to bring Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to Catalonia.
Barcelona are plotting an ambitious project over the next three years to attract leading stars such as Erling Haaland and William Saliba to Camp Nou.
The Catalans side have been in the financial doldrums in recent years, forcing them to work on a shoestring budget as they attempt to keep pace with rivals Real Madrid. This is evidenced by their struggle to secure Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, who is available for just €55 million currently.
As one source close to the club told FootballTransfers: “Barcelona are back!”
The ultimate aim of this deal is to broker moves for superstars like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s William Saliba, though clearly there is no immediate solution for Hansi Flick’s side.
President Joan Laporta believes the catalyst to the club’s revival will be a kit deal with Nike that will pull in over €150m per season.
According to sources, this will provide the cash injection to attract Haaland and Saliba to the club.
Barca want Haaland to fill the gap left by Lionel Messi when he moved to PSG in the summer of 2021. The Nike money is being earmarked to cover his transfer fee and wages, with the Norway international having refused to commit his long-term future to City, where manager Pep Guardiola has hinted he could leave next summer.
Saliba, meanwhile, is seen as a long-term solution to Barcelona’s defensive issues.
VfB Stuttgart star and Germany international Deniz Undav has been targeted to stay in Germany, but he is talking to his parent club’s new boss — Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hürzeler:
Deniz #Undav confirms our news that there have been phone calls with Fabian Hürzeler!
„There was contact and a phone call with Fabi. He told me what he thinks of me. I explained my perspective to him“, Undav explained today.
Hürzeler absolutely wants to bring him back to… pic.twitter.com/h6v25TNjQn
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) June 21, 2024
Deniz #Undav confirms our news that there have been phone calls with Fabian Hürzeler!
„There was contact and a phone call with Fabi. He told me what he thinks of me. I explained my perspective to him“, Undav explained today.
Hürzeler absolutely wants to bring him back to @OfficialBHAFC.
But the plan is for Undav to stay at VfB Stuttgart. Negotiations and talks between the clubs are ongoing.
@VfB can trigger an option to buy of around €20m. Brighton could immediately exercise a buy-back option in response to that!
@berger_pj | @SkySportDE
The Bayern Munich behind the scenes drama continued this week while Germany excelled this week in UEFA EURO 2024. These are some of the topics we reflect upon this week ahead of the weekend along with the following:
- Reflections on Germany’s win against Hungary
- The automatisms in the German national side
- Should Kai Havertz continue to start up front?
- What is going on with Leroy Sané?
- Reflections on Joshua Kimmich’s performance
- Thoughts on Manuel Neuer’s performance and his future at Bayern
- Will Federico Chiesa be a good signing for Bayern if the rumors are true?
- The latest rumors regarding Jonathan Tah
- The latest on Palhinha
- What the Bayern Munich midfield might look like in the future
Mats Hummels is leaving Borussia Dortmund and has interest from both Mallorca and AS Roma:
Former Borussia Dortmund centre-back Matt Hummels is closing on a surprise move to Mallorca, despite rumours linking him with Roma.
Hummels seems to have some gas left in the tank. Whoever gets him will be getting a quality player.
Martin Zubimendi was on Bayern Munich’s transfer radar at one point, but he fell off of the club’s wanted list. Now, that same thing could be happening at Arsenal FC:
Having grown frustrated in their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal have reignited their chase of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes.
Tottenham Hotspur could be targeting Canadian attacker Jonathan David:
Tottenham Hotspur have lodged their interest in signing Lille striker Jonathan David, who is also wanted by Man Utd.