Bayern to re-up Goretzka? (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Is Bayern Munich thinking about re-upping Leon Goretzka at a lesser price? Maybe, per Sport Bild’s Christian Falk:
Leon Goretzka has improved his chances of prolonging his future at Bayern Munich. The Germany
international has been an ever-present figure in the Bavarians’ 2025/26 Bundesliga campaign. Whilst the futures of Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano remain shrouded in doubt, the FC Bayern bosses are understood to be very satisfied with Goretzka’s performance levels.
Understandably so, with the midfielder’s season average putting him into Munich’s best XI of the season so far. We reported back in the summer that Bayern Munich had been considering offloading the Manchester United target in the window. However, the picture is, once again, looking different for Leon Goretzka who continues to subvert expectations season after season.
As such, decision-makers at Säbener Straße are prepared to entertain talks after Christmas (potentially beyond the New Year) to discuss the possibility of an extension.
Goretzka has survived…a lot. The coaching changes, the teammates, the up-and-downs of it all…Goretzka just keeps going despite being the bane of the respective existences for a very vocal sect of the Bayern Munich fanbase.
However, just a as a minor counterpoint to the #GoretzkaOut movement, he could be shifting into a different type of role within the team, much like Serge Gnabry has. If the idea is for Goretzka to be a depth piece at reasonable price, Goretzka could fill a need on the roster.
If the story is true, it really could just be a question of how low Goretzka will go with his salary.
How are you feeling about it?
Bayern eyeing Fernandes? Say what? (CaughtOffside)
In what might be one of the more weird (and ludicrous) transfer rumors in circulation, Bayern Munich is being linked to Manchester United attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes:
Manchester United attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes is reportedly a transfer target for Bayern Munich, and could move for around €70m. The Portugal international has been a world class performer for Man Utd down the years, and it would be a big blow to lose him to another major European side.
Fernandes is said to be on Bayern’s radar and a report from Fichajes claims he’s keen to leave after a difficult time at Old Trafford. Although United don’t want to let Fernandes go, they could be ready to consider negotiating for around €70m.
This move — especially at that money — seems utterly ridiculous for Bayern Munich. To this author, there is no way Bayern Munich would engage in something like that.
So…carry on, unless you are a Bruno Truther, who will point back to Bayern Munich’s rumored interest in him from a couple of years ago.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 8, Episode 16 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich has a busy week ahead and much like the team’s activity, there are a ton of news items and talking points to discuss following the team’s big 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Let get into the big topics for the show. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Unpacking the reaction to Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.
- Is if time for Bayern Munich to think about talking over a contract extension with Vincent Kompany? The head coach has 1.5 years left on his deal and will be a hot target for many clubs in 2027.
- Did Bayern whiff on Nicolas Jackson? The Chelsea loanee has not impressed so far.
- Does Bayern Munich need to think about adding another attacker in January?
- Leon Goretzka could be getting a new deal from Bayern, too.
Hainer lays out club goals (Tz’s Hanna Raif via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer did not drop any word salad when laying out the team’s goals.
“Our goals are always clear: win, win, win. That’s what our fans expect, that’s our standard, and that applies to both our men’s and women’s teams, which have won the league title four times in the past five years and achieved the double for the first time last season – and also to our FC Bayern Basketball team, who also want to defend their German championship title. I would be delighted for our fans if we could see a repeat of the FC Bayern [league] treble next summer,” said Hainer.
Griezmann touts Olise (Telefoot via @iMiaSanMia)
Antoine Griezmann recently took some like to talk about Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.
“Every time he touches the ball, he brings something offensively. He can play on the right and centrally. He’s a player who will do our team a lot of good,” said Griezmann.
Not a bad to guy to get high praise from, eh?
Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga — Der Klassiker)
Bayern Munich got off to a rousing start during its 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the latest edition of Der Klassiker, but it was a nervy ending for the Bavarians.
The home side appeared to wear down and wilt under pressure from Borussia Dortmund as the game went on, but it was a gutty effort to even preserve the win under what many would consider to be a shaky second half. Head coach Vincent Kompany will have to find a way to deal with the weariness of his boys, but for now, let’s talk about how it all played out.
This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show:
- A look at Bayern Munich’s starting XI selections…who stood out, who struggled, and more.
- A rundown of the scoring and substitutions as we walk through the flow of the match.
- Some final takeaways on the match.
Messi to get new deal in Miami? (ESPN)
Lionel Messi could be on the verge of getting a new deal with Inter Miami:
Lionel Messi is expected to stay at Inter Miami and sign a new contract with the club, according to Fabrizio Romano. Sources told ESPN in September that the eight-time Ballon d’Or-winner was close to finalizing a new multiyear contract, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the year. Now, following the 38-year-old’s strong end to the MLS regular season, Romano reports that the “final details” of the new contract are being sorted. Messi is “fully focused” on the Inter Miami project, having first joined the club in the summer of 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain. The Argentina captain scored 29 goals in 28 regular-season games in this season, earning him the 2025 MLS Golden Boot award, and he registered an additional 19 assists.
Maybe Messi will eventually move upstate when his career ends and settle into The Villages.
We kid, we kid…
Real’s 3-man shortlist for center-back includes Upamecano (ESPN)
Real Madrid could have to decide between Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté for their center-back options this summer:
Real Madrid have drawn up a three-man defensive shortlist, according to talkSPORT. Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté are all being tracked by Los Blancos heading into next summer. All three central defenders are out of contract in 2026, meaning Madrid could conceivably sign a star defender on a free transfer in much the same way they landed Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer. Guéhi is also the subject of reported interest from Bayern Munich, who may launch a winter bid for the England international.
Vlahović looking for Spurs move? (ESPN)
In what could be an indication that Harry Kane is planning to at least see out his current contract, Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović is reportedly looking at a move to Tottenham Hotspur in January. Previous reports closely linked the Serbian to Bayern Munich:
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is “leaning towards” joining Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, Football Insider reports. The Serbia international is likely to be available for a cut-price fee as his Juve contract expires at the end of the season, opening the door to several long-standing Premier League admirers. Spurs are set to be at the front of the queue to sign him, with forwards Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani struggling with fitness so far this season.
