Bayern Munich has been the club mostly closely linked to getting Hoffenheim midfielder Tom Bischof on a free transfer this summer, but both Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig are in the mix.
While both of those clubs could offer a better plan for immediate first team playing time, Eintracht Frankfurt could be positioning itself to take the lead in the race:
Bischof’s contract in Sinsheim expires in the summer and this has resulted in him attracting interest from the biggest clubs in Germany. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig have all shown an interest in the 19-year-old.
Frankfurt also have a good chance of signing Bischof. The plan on the banks of the main river would be to offer Bischof a five-year deal and set him up as the successor to Mario Götze in the Frankfurt squad. This means that Frankfurt already offer a better chance of first-team football as well as the potential of Champions League football if they continue on their current trajectory.
For Bayern Munich, Bischof would be a value-buy, but not a necessity. With Joshua Kimmich expected to sign a contract extension and Aleksandar Pavlović looking like a building block for the future, it might be hard for Bischof to find consistent playing time.
Bayern Munich already — allegedly — laid out a plan for Bischof to go out on loan next season if he signs, but does the youngster want that uncertainty floating over his head when Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig can offer more concrete plans?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr will expire in June. Does that mean that he is looking for a “new challenge?”
Maybe:
Cristiano Ronaldo is “open to new challenges” in 2025, according to Marca. The superstar forward’s contract at Al Nassr is due to expire in June, meaning he is free to negotiate with clubs outside the Saudi Pro League from Jan. 1. According to the story on Marca’s front page the Portugal captain does not want to leave the Riyadh club without winning the league title, but embarking on a new “project” in another league cannot be ruled out. One thing that is for sure is that the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward, who turns 40 in February, is not thinking about retirement as he has the tally of 1,000 career goals in his sights.
The Winterpause allows us some time to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly from the first half of the season at Bayern Munich.
In this three-part series for Bavarian Podcast Works, we will breakdown each position group — Attack, Midfield, Defense — discuss each player and provide rating for how we feel they have played so far this season.
Chuck and Samrin break down the defensive group. Here is some of what the duo discussed on the show:
- A breakdown of the vast list of players, who we could not rate because we did not see enough of them.
- A look at why Manuel Neuer might be a lot more maligned than he deserves — and why Daniel Peretz needs to show more if he wants to be “The Next One.”
- Alphonso Davies has been a lot better, but is he in the midst of a “contract year” or is this the real Davies awakened from a three-year slumber?
- The best and the worst of Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae.
- Ratings on all of the players.
Liverpool FC might be the best team in the world at the moment, but that does not mean that the Reds are not constantly looking for ways to improve itself.
Enter Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong:
Liverpool are an reportedly interested in signing Jeremie Frimpong and Alphonso Davies and beat Real Madrid to their signatures.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are ready to hijack Real Madrid’s move for Jeremie Frimpong and Alphonso Davies in the summer transfer window if they lose Trent Alexander-Arnold. Frimpong has been exceptional for Bayer Leverkusen, and he helped them with the Bundesliga title last season. The Dutchman has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world, and he should prove to be a quality long-term acquisition for Liverpool.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move away from Liverpool, and he will need to be replaced adequately. The England international is on the radar of Real Madrid, and he is yet to sign a contract extension with the Reds. If Alexander-Arnold moves on, Frimpong would be a quality replacement. The Netherlands international is very effective at both ends of the pitch, and he could replace the incumbent in the long run.
As far as Alphonso Davies is concerned, the Canadian international would be an exceptional acquisition as well. Andrew Robertson has not been at his best for quite some time, and the Scottish international will need to be replaced soon. Davies has established himself as one of the best left-backs in the world, and he could transform Liverpool if he joins the club.
Real Madrid are keen on signing the Canadian international as well, and it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Davies will be out of contract in the summer, and he could be available on a free transfer. Liverpool will be able to secure a pre-contract agreement with the player if talks go well next month.
With Davies being a free agent, getting both players could be doable. While Frimpong might not be an exact profile fit for Arne Slot’s back-four, the Dutchman could conceivably still be an option to man the right-back spot for Liverpool — especially if Trent Alexander-Arnold skips town for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid could be looking to tweak a few positions on its roster and could make a big splash by grabbing Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi:
Real Madrid want to make Martín Zubimendi their “new Toni Kroos” but the Spanish international remains of interest to several Premier League clubs too.
Bayern Munich is getting some much needed rest and relaxation, but Bavarian Podcast Works is still embracing the grind.
Our latest Bavarian Podcast Works show tackles some of the hottest topics at the moment, so let’s hop right into it. This is what we have on tap:
- The end could be near for the Alphonso Davies transfer saga. Will he re-up with Bayern Munich or will he sign with Real Madrid?
- A listener Q&A segment that harkened back to 2012 and a Robert Lewandowski injury, while also touching on a potential Bayern Munich acquisition of Tom Bischof, and some quality Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz discussion.
- A look at those rumors linking Bayern Munich to Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
Marcus Rashford has been linked to many clubs (including Bayern Munich), but maybe Juventus can offer him the best overall package:
Tuttosport newspaper reports that Manchester United offered Marcus Rashford to Juventus, but Thiago Motta still prefers the Englishman’s teammate Joshua Zirkzee.
Manchester United have offered their striker Rashford to Juventus, according to Tuttosport.
The 27-year-old is destined to leave Old Trafford in January or in the summer, and according to the Turin-based paper, the Red Devils are looking for a €50m sale.
Tottenham and Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in the English striker as well, while Juventus may only join the race if United agree to loan out the player next month and pay part of his hefty salary.
According to Tuttosport, the Juventus budget for Rashford’s loan in January is circa €3-4m, but, at the same time, the product of Manchester United academy is not Thiago Motta’s favourite target.
The ex-Italy international still prefers Rashford’s teammate Zirkzee and Juventus hope to get the Dutchman in the January transfer window.
Zirkzee scored 14 goals in 57 Bologna appearances under Motta before joining the Red Devils last summer.
Bayern Munich and Manchester United could be battling FC Barcelona for Nico WIlliams:
In the last summer transfer window, FC Barcelona had a very clear top-priority target, i.e., the Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, whom they wanted to sign to strengthen their left wing.
However, they were ultimately unable to sign the Spaniard, who remained at the Basque club for this season. Still, the Catalans continue to be linked with him as they are still looking for a new player for the left wing.
In recent weeks, Nico has also been linked with some other big European clubs. According to SPORT, Barcelona are fully aware of these advances made towards the Spanish winger but are still calm about his situation.
They are yet to make a final decision about his signing, and at the moment, are more focused on solving their FFP problems and considering other options for this position.
The Athletic Club forward still retains a lot of attraction for the Blaugranes, mainly for his future projection, fixed price, attacking abilities, and friendship with several Barcelona players.
But they are not going to make another move for him as they did in the last summer transfer window unless the player himself clarifies his future plans, even though he is reportedly more open to a change of scenery next summer.
Meanwhile, Barcelona are also not worried about the interest he is receiving from other clubs, as they understand that they are his first priority, and he will pick them over other clubs even if he has to lose some money in wages.
Two such clubs that have been pushing to sign the Spaniard have been Manchester United and Bayern Munich, with the latter particularly forceful with this operation.
They are willing to pay his release clause of €67 million and would also offer him a big contract. PSG have not made any advances after Nico spurned them last year. Athletic Club are also pushing to renew him.
The Winterpause allows us some time to reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly from the first half of the season for Bayern Munich.
In this three-part series for Bavarian Podcast Works, we will breakdown each position group — Attack, Midfield, Defense — discuss each player and provide rating for how we feel they have played so far this season.
Chuck and Samrin break down the midfield group. Here is some of what the duo discussed on the show:
- The value of Joshua Kimmich.
- The promise of Aleksandar Pavlović.
- The underrated performances of Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer.
- The uncertainty surrounding where João Palhinha might fit into this midfield in the short-term and the long-term.
- Ratings on each of the players.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies was named to the IFFHS Men’s World Team for 2024:
Jack Grealish did not have a good 2024 for Manchester City, but Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur might be interested:
Manchester City attacking midfielder Jack Grealish is attracting interest from two clubs in the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail. Both Tottenham and Newcastle United are reported to be watching the 29-year-old’s situation, with belief that he could be tempted away from the Etihad Stadium amid a difficult spell of form for the Citizens. Grealish is yet to score this season despite making 18 appearances across all competitions.
Given that it is intent on revamping the wing position, should Bayern Munich take a gander over at Grealish? We know that Vincent Kompany likes him…
Bayern Munich is on break, but there is still a lot to chat about — particularly with some of the rumors that we have heard this week. However, there was one topic being bandied about on social media that captured our attention — the trends of behavior with Bayern Munich fans and why being a supporter is a little more complex these days. Let get into all of that. This is what we have on tap:
- Bayern Munich’s recent run of instability has caused fans to act differently, but that is natural after so much change.
- Nico Williams? Jamie Gittens? Should Bayern Munich be willing to drop a lot of money on these players?
- If Nestory Irankunda wants a loan, Bayern Munich should oblige.
- A brief Entertainment Rundown as we tackle Happy Gilmore 2’s 2025 release (we are hoping it’s good!).
