For as few weeks now, it has been assumed — and reported on — that Bayern Munich is content to ride into this season with Alphonso Davies playing out his contract.
Now, though, reports out of Spain indicate that the Bavarians are willing to re-open negotiations with Real Madrid on the Canadian star:
Just when it seemed like all hope was lost in Real Madrid’s pursuit of Alphonso Davies, the door appears to have opened ever so slightly.
With the player in the final year of his contract, Los Blancos hoped to negotiate a lower transfer fee to secure his arrival this summer. Bayern Munich, however, refused to cave in even if it meant losing the star defender for free next summer.
Real Madrid thus appeared to defer their interest in Davies by one year, but it now appears that a move this summer is still a possibility.
As revealed in a recent update by AS, Bayern Munich still rate the young defender to be worth at least €50 million, a figure that Real Madrid hesitated to meet. Now, however, they are willing to negotiate so as to recoup at least some money from his sale. They are looking for offers on the market and the time may be right for Real Madrid to swoop in.
At this point, it appears that Bayern Munich is not going to be able to re-up Davies, even with 12 more months to work on it. With a few different options at left-back (Hiroki Ito, Raphaël Guerreiro, Josip Stanišić, and Adam Aznou — we will not include Noussair Mazraoui as he appears to be headed to Manchester United), maybe now is the time to cash out on Davies, given what appear to be low chances at extending his contract.
Atlético Madrid star Antoine Griezmann could be looking longingly at Olivier Giroud at LAFC and yearning to join him:
LAFC are reportedly in talks to sign Atlético Madrid and France international Antoine Griezmann, according to GiveMeSports’ Tom Bogert and Ben Jacobs.
According to the report, sources view the situation “as a matter of when, not if.” The potential attacking three of Denis Bouanga and recently signed Olivier Giroud would arguably be the best in all of MLS. Giroud even teased Griezmann’s interest in a move to Major League Soccer saying the Atlético Madrid player was “a bit jealous.”
LAFC would likely have to make some alterations to its three Designated Player slots currently occupied by Giroud, Bouanga and Eduard Atuesta. The latter would likely have his contract bought down to make room for Griezmann, if a transfer comes to fruition.
We are in the home stretch of the summer transfer window and Bayern Munich still has some moves to make to help thin out the herd on the roster. Who might stay? Who might go? That will all be determined in the next few weeks.
Given all of that, we have a lot to discuss. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- The season is starting to feel real isn’t it?
- With less than a month left in the transfer window, Bayern Munich has to finalize some moves and potentially make a few others. Check out Bayern Munich’s final “for sale” list.
- Why Xavi Simons chose RB Leipzig over Bayern and why it might not be the last we hear on him in these parts.
- The latest on Joshua Kimmich and why it is not such a certainty that he will sign a contract extension.
Liverpool is reportedly still keeping an eye on Hoffenheim attacker and Germany international Maximilian Beier. Despite that, Beier wants to move to Borussia Dortmund:
⚫️ FC Liverpool have never lost their focus on Maximilian Beier. There were talks in recent days and weeks! #LFC
… but we‘ve been told again today: Beier has clearly decided to join Borussia Dortmund over all other options ✔️
Process ongoing to reach the total agreement… pic.twitter.com/nLpbK2X8Oa
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 7, 2024
⚫️ FC Liverpool have never lost their focus on Maximilian Beier. There were talks in recent days and weeks! #LFC
… but we‘ve been told again today: Beier has clearly decided to join Borussia Dortmund over all other options ✔️
Process ongoing to reach the total agreement between #BVB and Beier. After that, Dortmund will open the negotiations with Hoffenheim.
BVB boss Lars Ricken vaguely touched on the Beier rumors as well:
⚫️ Dortmund boss Lars Ricken about a possible transfer of Hoffenheim‘s Maximilian #Beier in an exclusive interview with Sky today: ⤵️
„That Maximilian Beier is a good player is known not only by Hoffenheim and us but also by many other clubs. However, he is a player of… pic.twitter.com/LWaYtKirFj
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 7, 2024
⚫️ Dortmund boss Lars Ricken about a possible transfer of Hoffenheim‘s Maximilian #Beier in an exclusive interview with Sky today: ⤵️
„That Maximilian Beier is a good player is known not only by Hoffenheim and us but also by many other clubs. However, he is a player of another club. Naturally, there is always some dynamic because we let Füllkrug go. Of course, we are prepared for such scenarios. You can’t implement them within a day. We currently have three strikers. We are now considering or working on whether we will make another move or not.“ #BVB
İlkay Gündoğan will likely stiff-arm interest from Fenerbahçe SK coach José Mourinho:
İlkay Gündoğan is not expected to consider transfer offers this summer, despite Barcelona still being willing to sell the 33-year-old if a tempting proposal comes in.
Gündoğan joined the Catalan giants on a free transfer last summer after captaining Manchester City to a Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble. He contributed 19 goals and assists in 51 appearances across all competitions and was the most reliably available midfielder in the squad. But Barcelona’s financial limitations have seen a high turnover of players in recent years and Gündoğan has been linked with a move away, even at his age and with another season (and potentially a third) left on his contract with the club.
Mundo Deportivo writes that Gündoğan, via his agent and uncle, Ilhan, has informed Barcelona that he has no desire to consider offers from elsewhere. Gündoğan is reported in Turkey to be a target for José Mourinho at Fenerbahçe SK, partially due to an injury suffered by former Manchester United midfielder Fred. The Istanbul giants haven’t lacked ambition in the transfer market as they attempt to re-assert domestic dominance after last season marked a full decade without a Super Lig title, amid six second-place finishes in that time.
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.
Thiago Alcântara and Zlatan Ibrahimović had an interesting exchange when they recently met up:
At the game against Milan on Tuesday, Thiago bumped into former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović. And while a video captured the duo speaking, Ibrahimović could be heard complimenting Thiago’s English, but the midfielder was quick to say that he was, in fact, speaking “scouse” instead. It seemed clear that Thiago didn’t even know he was on camera, so this does indeed show his love for his former employers.
Marius Wolf has had enough of playing in front of the Yellow Wall and is headed to FC Augsburg:
⚪️ Excl | DONE DEAL: Marius #Wolf will join FC Augsburg with immediate effect ✔️
Total verbal agreement with the 29 y/o right-back is done. Former Dortmund player will join FCA as a free agent.
Wolf will undergo his medical today. Contract until 2027. @SkySportDE pic.twitter.com/6SzZSlHCEy
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 7, 2024
The medical exam has been performed as well:
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.
Speaking of the Yellow Wall, Waldemar Anton is ecstatic about his move from VfB Stuttgart to Borussia Dortmund:
⚫️ Waldemar #Anton about his transfer to Borussia Dortmund in an exclusive interview with Sky: ⤵️
“I am extremely excited. Especially about celebrating with the Yellow Wall after a home victory.”
When asked why he decided to accept Dortmund’s offer instead of Leverkusen’s,… pic.twitter.com/T5JNh3O9NR
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 5, 2024
⚫️ Waldemar #Anton about his transfer to Borussia Dortmund in an exclusive interview with Sky: ⤵️
“I am extremely excited. Especially about celebrating with the Yellow Wall after a home victory.”
When asked why he decided to accept Dortmund’s offer instead of Leverkusen’s, Anton replied: ⤵️
“BVB is a huge club. I have spoken with many of the officials. Everyone expressed their full confidence in me. I also had good conversations with our coach. In the end, it was a gut decision. Now, I feel very comfortable and am very happy to be here.” #BVB
It looks like Deniz Undav will be getting his wish and will get to play for VfB Stuttgart again:
VfB Stuttgart will pay a fixed transfer fee of €26.7m for Deniz #Undav!
… add-ons on top. The total package will not exceed €30m.
28 y/o striker will sign his contract in the next hours. At least until 2027. Probably with an option for one more year.
All done and… pic.twitter.com/HMfyGBN4lF
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 7, 2024
VfB Stuttgart will pay a fixed transfer fee of €26.7m for Deniz #Undav!
… add-ons on top. The total package will not exceed €30m.
28 y/o striker will sign his contract in the next hours. At least until 2027. Probably with an option for one more year.
All done and sealed with Brighton
It’s happening — former Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus is headed to the LA Galaxy:
EXCL: Marco Reus to LA Galaxy, here we go! Deal finally done after initial agreement revealed in July.
Contract until December 2025 plus option to extend, as expected.
Reus, planning for travel to US in the next days for medical tests and contract signing.
Done, sealed pic.twitter.com/pLHuR7zrPx
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 7, 2024