Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich to battle Manchester United for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres?; Real Madrid sees Florian Wirtz as “dream signing”; Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku on the move?; Antoine Griezmann to LAFC?; and MORE!

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres might be the hottest player in the world with the kind of production that he has had this season. In 18 games for Sporting CP, Gyökeres has 18 goals and four assists across all competitions.

In addition, the Swede has five goals and four assists in five games In the UEFA Nations League this season. Needless to say, he is one of the most sought-after players on the transfer market for the summer of 2025 — and Bayern Munich could be in the mix to land the 26-year-old:

Manchester United and other top clubs are chasing Viktor Gyökeres (26) – the Swede is also at least on the radar at FC Bayern (SPORT BILD reported). However, the attacker from Sporting Lisbon is going to be really expensive. But not as expensive as expected!

A report in the English newspaper “ The Times “ revealed that Gyökeres could move next summer for “only” 75 million euros. The reason: a secret agreement with Sporting. The club is reportedly willing to let the striker go for a much lower sum than the 100 million euro release clause in his contract.

The Portuguese champions have also already reduced the resale share for the top striker (market value 70 million euros). Gyökeres moved from Coventry City (England) to Lisbon in 2023. Shortly before the end of the last summer transfer window, it was announced that the club had paid a sum of 2 million euros to reduce Coventry’s 15 percent resale share to 10 percent.

The fact that Sporting is trying to secure a larger share of a potential transfer fee for Gyökeres is likely a sign that a departure is imminent next summer.

With Harry Kane still in tow, it would appear unlikely that Bayern Munich would spend that much on another striker. However, Kane could end up being a wild card for the Bavarians. Should he win his first trophy this season (it seems like the Bundesliga is completely achievable), he could have the desire to return to England and chase Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal scoring record.

If that happens, Bayern Munich could act very quickly to try and bring in another top-tier center-forward. No one — and we mean no one — wants to go through another striker-less experiment.

Real Madrid considers Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz to be a prime transfer target, but is worried about the transfer fee he could command:

Real Madrid consider Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz to be a dream signing but would want to negotiate his €130m to €150m asking price down to a figure similar to the one they paid for Jude Bellingham. (Fichajes – Spain)

Bayern Munich is still out of action, but Germany has supplied enough quality to keep our eyes and minds busy, but it is not as if there is not a lot to talk about with the Bavarians.

Let’s take a look at some of the big topics for this week on the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:

• We’ve fought it the best we could, but it is time to admit that if Bayern Munich has the chance to team up Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz they should get it done as soon as possible.
• Germany is legit now. Julian Nagelsmann is working magic like we have not seen in a long time. Can he keep it going or is Germany peaking too early?
• Could Hansi Flick lure away Bayern Munich’s talent? At least one report indicates that the Bavarians are at least a little worried that Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich, and….Musiala (!?) could all be drawn to Flick.

Manchester United is reportedly chatting with Chelsea FC about the possibility of getting former RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku:

Manchester United have opened talks with Chelsea over the availability of Christopher Nkunku, who is reportedly unhappy about his playing time under Enzo Maresca, according to L’Equipe. The France international has struggled for minutes this season, with Nicolas Jackson generally being preferred in the striker position by the Blues boss. While Nkunku has yet to inform Chelsea of his desire to leave the club, he is said to be considering his future at Stamford Bridge. United are one of several clubs to have enquired about the 26-year-old’s availability, who has also been linked with a return to Paris Saint-Germain, where he started his footballing career in 2015.

Bayer Leverkusen could be looking to bring Manchester City’s Stefan Ortega home:

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega is being monitored by Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

The German national team destroyed Bosnia and Herzegovina 7-0 in a match that was just an all-out, thorough domination by the Germans from start to finish.

Jamal Musiala’s early goal set the tone for the match, which was as good as the team has looked under Julian Nagelsmann. Somehow — even in a terrific performance — Musiala did not end the game as Germany most impactful player (which tells you just how good Florian Wirtz was).

Needless to say, there was a ton to talk about. Here is what we have on tap for the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:

• A look at the starting XI.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• Wirtz and Musiala are incredible.
• Is the backline ready for a primetime showdown with a European power?

LAFC might be trying to replicate what Inter Miami is doing with Lionel Messi and friends as Antoine Griezmann could be on the club’s radar to join Olivier Giroud:

Atlético Madrid star Antoine Griezmann is on the radar of LAFC, according to Relevo. The MLS club are believed to have maintained their interest in the 33-year-old amid hopes of pairing him with fellow France international Olivier Giroud. Despite his contract being set to expire in 2026, it is reported that Griezmann is thinking about leaving the Wanda Metropolitano in the summer.

Los Angeles might be appealing to Griezmann, but the Frenchman has often travelled to New York to watch NBA games. If he does decided to move to MLS, would he prefer a stint in New York or LA? Decisions…decisions…

FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong is still not feeling like himself and is battling with confidence issues in trusting his body. That said, the Dutchman is working to get back to full strength physically and mentally.

“I’m happy to be back! I need games, I need rhythm, and then my good form will return. I will not start the next game but I will stay with the national team,” said De Jong. “I still have sensitive moments from injury while playing. I need to gain back my confidence in doing certain things on the pitch. I knew it would be this way and so people are not worried. It should improve from now onwards.”

Bayern Munich is on break, but there is no shortage of topics to talk about. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• Breaking down the report from Sport1 about Bayern Munich’s rumored proposal to Jamal Musiala. What kind of money? How long? Why none of that really matters as much as having the ability to now start to build around him as the club’s centerpiece.
• Bayern Munich is reportedly going to offload at least one winger this summer…who will it be? Can Paul Wanner help fill the void without Bayern having to spend for a replacement?
• João Palhinha is injured and some fans are unraveling, but it is not the end of the world even against a daunting schedule.
• Final thoughts on The Penguin.

If you are looking for a real, feel good story, San Marino has you covered: