Bayern, Real, Barca vying for Konaté (Madrid Universal)
In a surprising turn of events, Bayern Munich could be joining Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in a pursuit of Liverpool FC defender Ibrahima Konaté:
At this point, it is well-established that Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is one of the players on Real Madrid’s radar. The Spanish giants were initially planning to sign him next year when his contract expires but are not ruling out a move this summer.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have slapped a €50 million price tag on Konate, with renewal talks stalling.
ADHowever, Real Madrid would only consider a transfer for around half that amount, approximately €25 million.
Now, according to Caught Offside (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Real Madrid are not alone in the race to sign Konate as both Barcelona and Bayern Munich are also interested in the Liverpool ace. However, like Los Blancos, both Barça and Bayern consider the €50 million valuation too high for a player entering the final year of his contract.
At the same time, despite renewal negotiations stalling, Liverpool are also actively trying to keep Konate and has already offered him a new contract extension. Konate has not yet agreed to renew with Liverpool, and it has been suggested that he currently has no intention of staying.
For now, all signs point to a future at Real Madrid, with the player said to be keen on the switch. But Real Madrid’s reluctance to offer more than €25 million for the 26-year-old defender and the entry of clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich into the picture may shake things up.
Gyökeres finally headed to London (Fabrizio Romano)
After a lot of talk and some roadblocks, Viktor Gyökeres is finally headed to London to sign with Arsenal FC:
EXCLUSIVE: Viktor Gyökeres and his agent Hasan Cetinkaya on their way to London now! ❤️
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2025
Gyökeres, set for Arsenal medical as he only wanted to join them.
Here with Cetinkaya, key to waive his commission to help his client to sign for the club he wanted.
✈️ pic.twitter.com/y72okHUCkc
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 62 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich is working on hard a few deals, but could also be working through issues internally. Let’s talk about what came out of the news this week and if Bayern Munich fans should be concerned, on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:
- Thomas Müller to LAFC?
- Is there a disconnect in the Bayern Munich front office — and also with the club’s supervisory board?
- VfB Stuttgart could be just as wacky as Bayern Munich these days...let’s talk about why?
- Hiroki Itō, Alphonso Davies, and Jamal Musiala were all spotted at Säbener Straße this week. Let’s talk about where things stand for each of them on their respective roads to recovery.
Juve wants to bring back Kolo Muani (ESPN)
Juventus would like to bring Randal Kolo Muani back after his loan from Paris Saint-Germain ended. However, the Serie A power will have to fend off Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United to get Kolo Muani:
Juventus are trying to keep Randal Kolo Muani following the striker’s loan from Paris Saint-Germain, according to Le Parisien. The report adds that Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United could make an approach in the coming days. The 26-year-old is no longer part of Luis Enrique’s plans and the Bianconeri have made various offers of a loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent, but PSG are standing firm and demanding that a large portion of the fee is paid this summer rather than next.
Real has big decisions to make (ESPN)
Real Madrid could be hitting a key juncture for a decision on several veterans and how they might or might not fit into the club’s future plans:
Real Madrid have four big decisions to make this summer, Diario AS reports, with Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba all out of contract in 2026. Courtois, 33, is likely to receive a two-year extension, the newspaper says, while the future of Carvajal, 34, is uncertain after the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The situation of Alaba, 34, is “most delicate,” according to AS, as he’s now the fifth centre-back in the squad, while there are long-term fitness concerns about Rudiger, 33.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 61 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich’s summer transfer window could be heating up very soon.
The dominoes are falling all around Bayern Munich and each move should open up things for another. After a relatively quiet and composed approach to squad planning for the summer, it is time to start wheeling-and-dealing.
Let’s get into all of that on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:
- With a move for Hugo Ekitiké getting close, the reality is that Bayern Munich is likely going to get Luis Diaz…whether fans like it or not. Let’s discuss…
- Bayern Munich has reportedly exited talks with VfB Stuttgart for Nick Woltemade to focus on a deal for Diaz. What should fans think? Will Bayern return to the negotiating table? Is this all spiraling out of control?
- It might just be time for Bayern Munich to rip off the band-aid. If there are options to sell Kim Min-jae, João Palhinha, and Sacha Boey, Bayern Munich should just unload them. It is time to stop thinking patience is a virtue with every player who underperforms.
- A final note on Florian Wirtz as Bayer Leverkusen’s CEO gloats over Bayern’s failure to land the star player.
LFC still watching Rodrygo situation (ESPN)
Liverpool really could be looking to load up:
Liverpool are closely monitoring the situation of Rodrygo as they consider replacements if Luis Díaz leaves to join Bayern Munich, according to Florian Plettenberg, who adds that Real Madrid are open to letting the winger leave. Meanwhile, AS reports that Tottenham want to take advantage of the 24-year-old’s situation with Los Blancos despite Bayern, Arsenal and Chelsea also being interested in the Brazil international. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will try to bring the fee below €90m, however, none of Rodrygo’s suitors have yet made official contact with Madrid over a deal.
Real could target Rodri again (Cadena SER via ESPN)
There is a lot of speculation surrounding Real Madrid these days, eh? Los Blancos could still be thinking about a move for Manchester City’s Rodri:
Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri is “the only one who fits” as a potential Real Madrid midfield signing, although he’s “not a viable option right now” because he’s on his way back from a serious injury and City don’t want to let the player go.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 52 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich’s summer has been one filled with rumors and, well, not much action.
But why? Let’s dig into how things are playing out and why Bayern Munich could be facing some tough times ahead. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Luis Diaz is either onto make or break Max Eberl’s Bayern Munich career, isn’t he?
- Is the rest of the Bundesliga sick of being bullied by Bayern Munich?
- Is the league bleeding too much talent?
- After BPW called for it, will Paul Wanner finally get his chance? It looks like it.
- Lennart Karl could also get his big break.
- The father of Florian Wirtz talks through how the decision to join Liverpool played out.
- HBO screwed me this week…find out how and why!
More from bavarianfootballworks.com:
- A forgettable international match day for all Bayern Munich players involved
- Czech Republic vs Germany lineup, discussion: Time, TV schedule and how to watch World Cup Qualifiers online
- ‘What about Thomas Müller?' Support pours in for Bayern Munich's troubled icon
- BFW Transfer Deadline Day 2017 live thread
- Kingsley Coman confident of his part in Bayern Munich’s plans this season
- Report: Renato Sanches set for loan move to Swansea
- Would this guy be the perfect backup for Robert Lewandowski?
