According to a report from Sport Bild, Bayern Munich and Manuel Neuer could be working on a deal to keep him in between the sticks for one more season:
Alexander Nübel’s loan contract at Stuttgart runs until June 2026. Bayern have a clause to cut the loan short, which can be activated until 30 April 2025. However with the exception of an injury to Manuel Neuer, Bayern are not expected to make use of the clause as the plan is for Neuer to extend his contract and continue as #1 next season.
Neuer, who has not been at his best for portions of this season so far, already retired from the German national team in hopes of being better prepared for the grind of the club season.
If Oliver Kahn could give Neuer any advice, it would be to set a date and start planning for the end.
”After you retire from the national team, you fall into a hole and ask yourself: What’s the goal now, what can I still achieve? I am therefore not surprised that Manuel is not showing the kind of performance in every game this season we are used to from him. He’s still able to display his world class level. But to do that consistently is always a big challenge. He has to define a clear goal for himself,” Kahn told Sport Bild (via @iMiaSanMia). “When I retired from the national team in 2006, I clearly defined – for FC Bayern, but also for myself: two more years and then it’s over. That helped me and the club. Everyone knew exactly what was going on. And that was also an incentive for me. I was able to draw motivation from this clearly defined ending. Until then, I wanted to win a lot and get out on a high and dignified level. Nobody wants to be booed out of the stadium at the end of their career.”
Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson could be the next Bundesliga to leave for the “greener pastures” of the Premier League. While AC Milan is scoping the Swede, Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC are also firmly in the mix with interest:
Arsenal and Liverpool are keen on Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, reports Teamtalk. Both clubs are reported to have sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old, who is also attracting interest from AC Milan following a run of impressive form in the Bundesliga during which he has stood out for his athleticism. Die Adler are said to be expecting offers for his signature in January, but whether he leaves the club could depend on whether he overcomes his recent thigh injury by then.
Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann will lead the German national team into another set of UEFA Nations League games.
This time, Germany will face off with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary in what should be more matches for the Germans to build momentum on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
Nagelsmann will be dealing with the normal obstacles like injuries and illnesses, but the squad has enough depth and versatility to cover whatever pops up (it also does not hurt that Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala might be the hottest player in Europe at the moment).
Let’s just jump into, this is what we have in tap for this episode of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show:
- A look at Nagelsmann’s impact on the team and how things are going.
- Addressing some of what we know in terms of injured players and illnesses.
- Analyzing what to expect from each position group.
- Predictions on each match.
Bayern Munich attacker Jamal Musiala has been named to WhoScored.com’s U-21 Team of the Season So Far for Europe’s Top 5 League (what a mouthful):
FC Barcelona could be plotting a move for Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Omar Marmoush:
Barcelona are keeping close tabs on Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, according to Sport. The 25-year-old has been one of the in-form strikers in Europe this season with 14 goals and eight assists in 15 appearances across all competitions, and it is reported that Blaugrana president Joan Laporta sees him as a statement signing that would excite the fans, as well as a future replacement for Robert Lewandowski. Previous reports have indicated that an offer worth €45 million would be required to land the Egypt international.
Sam Marsden, ESPN’s Barcelona correspondent, gives his view on a possible move to Camp Nou for Omar Marmoush.
Barcelona’s front three have been insatiable this season, but beyond Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal’s form, there are several reasons why they club feel they need to bolster their attack next summer. The lack of depth and width behind those three was illustrated when Yamal missed Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad through injury.
Lewandowski, meanwhile, will turn 37 next summer. The Poland international is in great form, netting 19 times already this season, but there is an awareness at the club he needs to be replaced in the short-to-medium-term. However, with his contract set to be extended until 2026 due to a clause based on appearances, the search for a No. 9 may be parked for a year due to Barça’s other needs.
Diario Sport suggests that Eintracht Frankfurt’s free-scoring Omar Marmoush has emerged as a target, although Erling Haaland and Viktor Gyökeres are said to be Barça’s first-choice Lewandowski replacements. At a reported €45m, Marmoush would be a cheaper option, while he may also be more willing to play second fiddle to Lewandowski for a season. He is also more versatile, so could play deeper or wider as well, if required.
Barça also want to sign a winger, though, with Nico Williams and Rafael Leão among those coveted. Despite an improving financial situation, there is unlikely to be money for both a winger and a striker. If Lewandowski keeps his goal-scoring form going until May, it’s clear where Barça’s priorities will lie next summer.
Matchday 10 saw the in-form Omar Marmoush proving his versatility in scoring once again, this time with a sublime free-kick. We also witnessed the start of life under Dieter Hecking for VfL Bochum, a still ineffective VfB Stuttgart, and Bayern Munich steadily leading the march toward an unexciting title race.
Additionally, this episode covers:
- Why Sebastian Hoeneß’s VfB Stuttgart are facing a serious consistency problem.
- Why Eintracht Frankfurt are loving life under Dino Toppmöller?
- A brief history and societal context surrounding the ‘miserably charming’ city of Bochum and its beloved football club.
- Dieter Hecking’s eyebrows!
- …and much more.
Bayern Munich seems to have made a decision that this will be Eric Dier’s last season at the club, but that does not mean that other teams are not interested in the 30-year-old defender.
Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, and Wolverhampton are all interested in Dier:
Dier was in strong favour under Thomas Tuchel after arriving from Tottenham in January, but Vincent Kompany has used the centre-back more sparingly.
The 30-year-old, who might harbour hopes of an England recall with Tuchel at the helm, has made just six appearances and played 141 minutes this season.
Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano have prevailed as Kompany’s favourite pairing and Dier has simply been left watching on.
That being said, TBR Football understands that all of Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers are keeping tabs on Dier’s situation.
On his part, Dier still has some hope that he could get a new deal at the German champions.
Bayern are happy with Dier’s professionalism and are open to talks, but there won’t be any guarantees over increased game time.
Dier was a key player under Thomas Tuchel last season and filled a very valuable role next to Matthijs de Ligt when the team experienced a brief resurgence. This season, though, Dier has found playing time hard to come by and it appears that the situation will not improve unless Min-jae or Upamecano experience an injury.
Manchester City was reportedly interested in FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, but Pep Guardiola has — allegedly — vetoed the move:
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong will not be joining Manchester City after Pep Guardiola pulled the plug on a potential deal.
Bayern Munich will ease into the break on a nice, little run of wins, so what better time to sit back and assess how things look at this stage.
There has been a lot of good, some bad, but a lot to discuss, so let’s get right to it on this edition of Bavarian Podcast Works. This is what we have on tap:
- Final thoughts on Bayern Munich vs. St. Pauli
- How should we feel about Bayern Munich at this point in the season?
- Has Jamal Musiala made the leap?
- Germany released its latest roster, so let’s dive into what this squad will look like for this week’s matches.
