For weeks now, we have seen Bayern Munich stars Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui closely linked to Manchester United.
While the “transfer saga” has been a roller coaster, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano expects the moves to go through.
“Manchester United are really confident on this story. For Matthijs de Ligt, they need time. It was already clear — this is why De Ligt agreed on personal terms with United in June. Already it was the third week of June, but then it’s taking time because Manchester United need some outgoing in order to proceed on the market,” Romano said. “But the conversation continues with Bayern with the players’ side, because the same agent — Rafaela Pimenta — represents Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, with both players expected to join Manchester United this summer.
“Manchester United are still confident, and are sending very good messages to the players – both Mazraoui and De Ligt – with confidence to get the deal done. With Bayern, there is still no agreement because Bayern want €50 million guaranteed for De Ligt and something around €20 million for Mazraoui. So, a package of €70 million, but Manchester United want to pay less than this. So the conversation is ongoing, but with confidence that De Ligt is only waiting for Manchester United.”
This seems like something you would see in FIFA or whatever they call the game now:
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has proposed a swap deal which would take Julián Álvarez to Real Madrid in exchange for Brazil international Rodrygo.
Bayern Munich went to Seoul, South Korea and came away with an impressive win over Tottenham Hotspur, dominating the game and scoring two goals. Meanwhile, on the PR side of things, Thomas Müller has been getting more attention than ever. Players, coaches, and executives can’t stop talking about how much of a “legend” he is, leading to a oversaturation of common buzzwords. Is something afoot?
In this episode, INNN discusses the following topics:
- The five major things Vincent Kompany got RIGHT vs Spurs.
- Why this matters for the upcoming season.
- Why some players seemed to settle into the new system despite a lack of prior training.
- Similarities (and differences) to Pep, Nagelsmann, and Flick.
- Putting the brakes on the hype train (just a little).
- Why loaning Bryan Zaragoza seems like a good idea.
- Conspiracy: Bayern Munich has begun to plan the “end” of Thomas Müller, and the current PR is a tool to make that happen.
Hoffenheim attacker and Germany international Maximilian Beier has become one of the most sought-after transfer targets in all of the Bundesliga. Now, Borussia Dortmund could be lining up a move for the 21-year-old:
⚫️ Maximilian Beier, high on Borussia Dortmund list as potential new striker.
Talks not concrete yet but BVB called to be informed on the situation — as BILD reported.
Nothing will advance until Füllkrug deal is signed; he’s arriving now in London to seal move to West Ham. pic.twitter.com/NknAbBCSPh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 3, 2024
Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg added that Borussia Dortmund was going to try and outgun Chelsea FC, Aston Villa, and Juventus for Beier:
⚫️ Borussia Dortmund, now pushing to sign Maximilian #Beier!
After new talks he’s their desired replacement for Niclas Füllkrug and the 21 y/o top striker can really imagine to join #BVB with immediate effect. Nuri Sahin wants him.
Chelsea, Aston Villa and Juventus still… pic.twitter.com/vzyVtguh8v
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 4, 2024
Romano returned to back up Plettenberg’s report as well:
⚫️ Borussia Dortmund are set to step up talks for Maximilian Beier this week, negotiations planned on both player and club side.
He’s the favorite option of the board after Fullkrug exit and Moukoko’s imminent loan. pic.twitter.com/OwPf5y1GpI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2024
As Monday progressed, things got hotter and heavier between Beier and BVB:
⚫️ Borussia Dortmund now working on a total verbal agreement with Maximilian #Beier!
21 y/o striker wants to join #BVB as all of the bosses really want him. Especially Nuri Sahin.
No direct talks between the clubs yet but Hoffenheim informed about the concrete interest… pic.twitter.com/ypEFuExYuX
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 5, 2024
⚫️ Borussia Dortmund now working on a total verbal agreement with Maximilian #Beier!
21 y/o striker wants to join #BVB as all of the bosses really want him. Especially Nuri Sahin.
No direct talks between the clubs yet but Hoffenheim informed about the concrete interest from Dortmund.
Talks about a transfer fee of €25m all-in with a salary of €5-6m gross/year. Deal could be finalized this week.
Bayer Leverkusen has also been in the mix for Beier.
Remember when Gleison Bremer was all the rage among Bayern Munich fans? Well, Liverpool FC was reportedly going to attempt to lure him away from Juventus:
Liverpool are reluctant to meet Juventus’ £50.5m asking price for defender Gleison Bremer and so are ready to offer the Bianconeri an unnamed player in part-exchange.
Now, though, Bremer has agreed to ink a new deal with Juventus:
⚪️⚫️ Gleison Bremer has agreed to sign new deal at Juventus! After contract extension in December, there will be new agreement.
Understand Juventus will change the release clause in his contract, it will be higher than current €60m one.
Agreement done, to be signed today. pic.twitter.com/yO1zJWWIq1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2024
And Bremer did, indeed, sign that new contract:
⚪️⚫️✍ Gleison Bremer signs new deal at Juventus valid until June 2029.
Release clause will be increased from summer 2025, no longer worth €60m. pic.twitter.com/Yz3vOem2OE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2024
Bayern Munich came out of the gates flying against Tottenham Hotspur during the friendly between the two teams in South Korea.
In what was — by far — Bayern Munich’s best half of play during this preseason, the team was electric, played with high energy, and generally made life hell for Tottenham. Using an early goal from Gabriel Vidović, Bayern Munich never really relented until late in the match to ultimately capture a 2-1 victory.
Needless to say, it was an impressive showing, so let’s not delay the excitement and get talking. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:
- A look at the starting XI.
- A rundown of the scoring and subs.
- Some general thoughts on just how good — and FUN — Bayern Munich looked.
- A pat on the back for Vincent Kompany.
- If Bayern Munich can get this version of Serge Gnabry, there is no reason to keep trying to sell him.
- Did any concerns arise? Well, yeah, but just a few.
Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Deniz Undav was spectacular for VfB Stuttgart last season and would love to return to Die Schwaben. That might prove to be difficult:
Deniz #Undav expressing his disappointment about Brighton & Hove Albion in an interview with professional boxer Agit Kabayel on YouTube: ⤵️
“Nothing came from Brighton for a year. I never really received appreciation over the year I was away from Brighton, nor did anyone care about me.”
Undav also confirmed that he would prefer to stay at VfB Stuttgart: ⏳
“Currently, it seems like both clubs are negotiating every day. If the transfer doesn’t happen, it would be bitter and unfortunate, because I want to be here in Stuttgart. But then I just have to go back.”
Plettenberg added more later as well:
Deniz #Undav when asked about a potential return to Brighton & Hove Albion:
“There are worse things than playing in the Premier League, and I owe a lot to Brighton.”
@SkySportDE
If Stuttgart can get Undav back, that will be a major boost to their attack.
Newcastle United could be taking a close look at AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw:
TEAMtalk can reveal that Newcastle has cooled their interest in signing a top Serie A centre-back this summer due to two determining factors, while a pair of alternatives remain in play.
The Magpies have already landed one central defender in Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer from Bournemouth, but Eddie Howe wants to get another on board after the club suffered in that position last season due to injuries to Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and, to a lesser extent, Fabien Schar.
The St James’ Park outfit are still doing internal evaluations of their options and AC Milan star Malick Thiaw remains on the list.
Bayern Munich took off for its jaunt in Asia where it will continue its preparation for the 2024/25 campaign. Competition on the squad will be fierce, moves will still be made (transfers in and out), and fan excitement/anxiety will likely start to skyrocket.
What better time to gauge how we are all feeling? Let’s get to it. This is what we have on tap for this episode of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- How about a heat check on where fans stand at this point of the transfer window?
- Joshua Kimmich is reportedly going to play out his contract — what does that mean for him and why it could be bad news for Bayern Munich.
- Noussair Mazraoui is just about gone, will Matthijs de Ligt follow him to Manchester United?
- The Entertainment Rundown featuring takes on House of the Dragon and…BlackBerry (!?).