Bayern, Kane to open talks in just a few days (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich and Harry Kane could be ready to kickstart contract discussions in just a matter of a few days — something that the majority of fans would welcome:
Bayern will open formal contract negotiations with Harry Kane at the beginning of August once he returns from vacation. The Englishman is currently Bayern’s highest earner alongside Jamal Musiala with around €25m gross per year. Bayern typically aim to cut the salary of players over 30 year old, but with Kane a pay cut will certainly not
be a topic. Kane received inquiries from other clubs, but for him it was always clear that Bayern is the perfect club for his career plans
The decisive question for the negotiations will be the new contract duration. Bayern will offer Kane a contract until at least 2029. Meanwhile, the striker is already aiming for the 2030 World Cup and wants to continue playing at the highest level until then. So the situation would be as follows: either a longer contract (until 2030) with a lower salary, or a shorter deal (2029) with a higher salary.
Surely, Bayern Munich will not want to create any ill-will with Kane, who will assuredly want a massive number and as long a deal as he can squeeze out of the Bavarians. The talks could be a tricky dance, but it seems very clear that both sides want this deal pretty quickly.
Vinícius Júnior likely to stay at Real (ESPN)
After some speculation that he could leave the club, Vinícius Júnior might be about to get a massive deal from Real Madrid:
Despite interest from Arsenal, Vinícius Júnior will reportedly stay at Real Madrid, according to Sky Sports. The club are confident that the Brazil international will stay put in the Spanish capital, despite the defending Premier League champions being reportedly ready to make an opening bid for the 26-year-old. Jose Mourinho’s team is confident that he will agree on a new contract and that the newly appointed manager reportedly also rates him very highly and wants him to stay.
There was a report from Mundo Deportivo (captured by ESPN), which stated that Arsenal was ready to break the bank for Vinícius Júnior, but that is likely out of the question now:
Arsenal are ready to make Vinícius Júnior the highest-paid player at the club, as they prepare talks to sign the Real Madrid star, who has entered the final year of his deal at the Bernabéu.
Leão to Fenerbahçe SK? (Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano)
Fenerbahçe SK could be close to getting Rafael Leão:
🚨🟡🔵 Fenerbahçe are set to meet with AC Milan and Rafa Leão representatives to present an official proposal.
Fener plan to try buy Leão; Milan owner Cardinale doesn’t open any door to loan moves.
Decision up to AC Milan and Rafa soon.
However, Leão is also getting interest from Galatasaray, per transfer journalist Nicolò Schira:
Rafa #Leao’s situation is the same revealed one month ago: #Galatasaray want to sign him and have offered a contract until 2030 (10M/year) to convince the forward, who is waiting for a Premier League’s Club (his priority). #ACMilan have decided to sell Leao for 50-60M since May.
Gunners eyeing player swap with Atléti (ESPN)
A player swap? You know we are here for that. How about this (laughable) one involving Atlético Madrid and Arsenal:
Arsenal could include striker Viktor Gyökeres as part of a player-exchange offer to sign Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, TalkSPORT reports. The LaLiga club are reported to hold interest in the 28-year-old Gyökeres, but a move could be difficult as the Gunners are yet to step up their pursuit of Álvarez, who has identified Barcelona as his preferred destination and whose transfer would cost upwards of €150 million. Gyökeres scored 14 goals in 36 Premier League matches last season, but he could be among the players replaced by manager Mikel Arteta this summer. Meanwhile, Juventus, RB Leipzig and a few Saudi Pro League clubs are tracking Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, TEAMtalk reports, while Leandro Trossard has agreed a €20 million deal to join Besiktas.
Yeah…this is exactly why we love these kinds of (ludicrous) stories.
Bayern still has hope for Fernández (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Bayern Munich loanee Javi Fernández recently spoke of his admiration for the club and his hopes to eventually break through in Bavaria. The feeling might be mutual:
Bayern believe in Javi Fernández’s potential, which is why they made a second loan to FC Nürnberg. He’s doing well, but not so well that Bayern can count on him in the first-team squad this season. He started five games in the second half of Nürnberg’s Bundesliga 2 campaign in 2025/26, so there is still space to improve and develop. That’s good for him and other players at the Campus that is so hard to break into the Bayern midfield – it’s a challenge! So, a very good decision for both sides; a win-win situation. He can learn more and practice on the pitch under an experienced coach in Miroslav Klose (the former top scorer at the World Cup). He knows everything about football, and I think Fernández can learn a lot from the ex-Germany international.
Fernández was considered to be one of the top prospects in Bayern Munich’s systems, but a horrific knee injury set his progress back. Now, the Spaniard is working hard to regain that status and a strong performance this season could go a long way in helping him achieve that status.
Juve, BVB, Sunderland all eyeing Balogun (ESPN)
Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Sunderland all might have their eyes on USMNT and Monaco striker Folarin Balogun:
Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Sunderland are all looking at Monaco and USMNT striker Folarin Balogun, Mundo Deportivo reports. The indication is that he will leave the Ligue 1 club, with Juventus best placed to secure the 25-year-old’s signature. The Bianconeri already have Jonathan David and Loïs Openda in addition to new signing Jeff Ekhator, but they are equally interested in Balogun. Dortmund and Sunderland are both keeping an eye on him but are considered a step down from Juventus.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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