Daily Schmankerl: Leon Goretzka sailing into the perfect storm at Bayern Munich?; FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong to join ex-mates at Manchester United?; Saudis eyeing Kingsley Coman?; Kieran Trippier, Adam Hložek on the move?; and MORE!

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has basically been told to get lost, but the 28-year-old is not ready to hear — or accept — that noise:

Leon Goretzka has been aware of his limited role in the coming season for 8 weeks, but the midfielder believes he can take on the competition and prevail. Last summer there were also discussions over Goretzka, but in the end he was in the starting lineup on the first matchday.

As of now, he hasn’t shown any intention to leave. Bayern will not force him out, but Goretzka was transparently and honestly informed of the club’s assessment. It is now up to the player to decide whether he wants to move, especially since he wants to be called up to the national team again. Financially, however, it will be tough for him to get a contract at another club as big as the one he currently has at Bayern.

The situation with Goretzka is odd in so many ways.

The narrative against him started with Thomas Tuchel and took another hit with his exclusion from the German national team roster over the idea he would be a malcontent if he was not starting.

Last season, Goretzka was solid and versatile and did what the team asked of him (even with the coach benching him, then reluctantly realizing he needed him). Good? Not good? It might not matter this season as Goretzka likely will not get the chance to prove his supporters or disprove his detractors.

He probably should move on, but he loves Bayern Munich in a way that is making him irrationally want to stay and fight for a one-sided relationship where he likely cannot win.

Is there something to be said for that? Maybe, but you only get so much time in a footballing career — so why waste it where you are not wanted?

With Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui off to Manchester United, could FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong be next? Maybe:

Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to reignite their interest in Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. Barca will not contemplate a sale unless a €75m (£64m) bid comes in.

So preseason is practically over and Bayern Munich have emerged with the prestigious Visit Malta Cup and extended bragging rights over Tottenham Hotspur supporters. However, who were the major winners and losers from the whole exercise? What did we learn about Vincent Kompany’s plans for next season?

In this episode, INNN and Samrin discuss the following:

• What is up with Leon Goretzka? Is he finally being pushed out?
• Will Vincent Kompany actually use Thomas Müller in an important role this season?
• Why Harry Kane might need to adjust his game.
• The new midfield — first impressions of Palhinha, and Joshua Kimmich’s current role.
• What we like from Kompany so far.
• The issue of selling Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, and how this may have unforeseen consequences.
• Will Bayern Munich make further transfers this summer?
• Answering supporter questions re: Upamecano, the squad planning, and transfers.

Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman could be drawing interest from Saudi Arabia:

Saudi club Al Ahli Jeddah are said to be interested in signing French winger Kingsley Coman who is unwanted at Bayern Munich.

It has been revealed that Bayern Munich are willing to let Coman go this summer to generate funds for new signings led by Stade Rennes wonderkid Désiré Doué.

Premier League champions Manchester City are rumored to monitor the situation as Pep Guardiola could take advantage of Coman’s situation to bring him to the Ittihad Stadium.

Joining them in the race for the Frenchman is Saudi giants Al Ahli Jeddah, who have reportedly opened negotiations with the Bavarians to sign the winger, according to Attacking Football.

Al Ahli are in dire desire to replace Allan Saint-Maximin after his departure to Turkey, having been also told no by Brazilian forward Richarlison, who is not looking forward to moving to Saudi Arabia.

The Jeddah-based club are yet to make a signing this summer and bringing on Coman would prove pivotal for the club’s upcoming season which will see them taking part in the AFC Champions League.

Coman is still a bit too young and talented to make the move (and cash out) to Saudi Arabia.

This is a longshot, but could Bayern Munich take a look at Newcastle United right-back Kieran Tripper? The England international should be available:

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted Kieran Trippier could be sold this summer due to financial pressure, but he is hoping to keep the right-back.

It seems doubtful, but Bayern Munich is planning to use Joshua Kimmich in the central midfield. If the club has any doubts about Josip Stanišić and Sacha Boey at right-back, Trippier will likely be available (and likely on the cheap).

Bayern Munich made its way over to England for a friendly with Tottenham Hotspur to fulfill an obligation on the Harry Kane transfer deal.

Mission accomplished.

Not only did Bayern Munich fulfill that part of the Kane deal, but it walked away with a 3-2 victory as well. There was much to discuss following the match, so let’s get to it:

• A look at Vincent Kompany’s starting XI.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• Serge Gnabry looks like a man on a mission.
• Finally, it was cool to see Harry Kane get a nice ovation from Spurs fans.
• Bayern Munich’s first half press was an absolute game-changer, but it fell off a cliff in the second half after Kompany used subs.
• Mathys Tel needs more playing time.
• The backline could end up being a problem — Eric Dier might be the best of the three-headed monster.

Bayer Leverkusen attacker Adam Hložek appears to be on his way to Leicester City:

Understand that Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Leicester City have reached a total agreement about a deal of Adam #Hlozek now ✔️

▫️Loan with an obligation to buy of €17-18m

▫️No total agreement on player‘s side yet as a few more details need to be clarified.

Clubs confident to make the deal happen. Medical soon. Hlozek will leave Leverkusen as reported.

FC Barcelona has not given up its pursuit of Nico WIlliams:

Barcelona have not yet given up hope of signing Athletic Club winger Nico Williams and have recently been in contact with his camp in the hope of convincing him to make a late switch to Camp Nou.

Given the subject matter, there is not much need for a preamble when it comes to Bayern Munich — this offseason has been filled with peaks and valleys. Let’s discuss those and a lot more on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show. This is what we have on tap:

• Bayern Munich is reportedly going to pass on a transfer of Bayer Leverkusen center-back Jonathan Tah — even if it sells Matthijs de Ligt to Manchester United.
• What Vincent Kompany’s plan to use Joshua Kimmich in the central midfield means for João Palhinha, Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer — and the biggest loser, Aleksandar Pavlović. Plus, how this affects the right-back candidates, Josip Stanišić and Sacha Boey.
• What do we need to look for during Bayern Munich’s friendly vs. Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
• Finally, we are taking some dragon fire straight to that House of the Dragon season finale…yup, it was terrible and confirmed that this season was all about treading water — a mortal sin for a show.

It is getting really hard to keep up with João Félix’s career:

Real Madrid is contemplating a move for Manchester City midfielder Rodri — even if it seems like a longshot at this point:

Real Madrid are weighing up a move for Rodri in 2025, at which point they believe Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City and force the midfielder to consider his future.

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 of him in these parts.
• The latest on Joshua Kimmich and why it is not such a certainty that he will sign a contract extension.

Armel Bella-Kotchap is leaving Southampton for Hoffenheim:

Julián Álvarez has made the jump from Manchester City to Atlético Madrid:

Jeremie Frimpong likely is not going anywhere and seems set to stay with Bayer Leverkusen: