Real could battle Bayern for Schlotterbeck (ESPN)
Rumors have been swirling that Bayern Munich will still pursue Borussia Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck even if Dayot Upamecano inks a new deal with the club in the coming days.
However, competition
for the Germany international could be steep. Aside of BVB, which no doubts wants to keep Schlotterbeck, Real Madrid could also throw its hat into the ring:
Real Madrid remain frontrunners in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, Bild reports. While Bayern Munich are also keen on signing the Germany international, their preference is to wait until 2027, by which time he could be a free agent. Dortmund will demand a fee of at least €50 million from any interested clubs this summer, wjhich isn’t expected to put off Real Madrid as they are looking for a new defensive leader with veterans Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba expected to depart.
From a salary budget standpoint, it is hard to imagine the Bavarians taking a big swing at Schlotterbeck unless Kim Min-jae leaves in the summer. Even then, Bayern Munich would likely have to shed any hope of re-signing players like Leon Goretzka and Raphaël Guerreiro.
One move that could swing the pendulum in a big way is if Manuel Neuer retires. That would open up a lot of salary budget space considering how much Neuer makes (€26.5 million package of salary + bonus). If that happens and Kim leaves the club, affording Schlotterbeck might not seem so daunting.
Spurs looking for a left wing (ESPN)
Tottenham Hotspur is exploring some options for left wing:
TEAMtalk has offered some insight into the names being considered in Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a left winger. Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, Manchester City’s Savinho, Athletic Club’s Nico Williams and Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche are mentioned, while Club Brugge’s Christos Tzolis is also reported to be on the Premier League club’s shortlist. In fact, the report goes as far as saying Spurs’ analytics staff and a high-ranking club scout believe that the 23-year-old Greece international is the one they should move for.
At one point, there was belief at Bayern Munich that Mathys Tel could play left wing. It will be interesting to see if Tottenham give Tel a shot at the position. Incidentally, Sky Germany is reporting that Tel wants to leave Tottenham:
Mathys Tel is unhappy at Spurs and open to a departure in winter! ❄️
Upamecano grateful for parental support (Le Parisien via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano is likely to ink his new contract any day now, but without his parents, none of this would have been possible — and the Frenchman knows it.
“I was lucky to have parents who always supported me, who always knew how to find the words to encourage me. When I helped my mother working at the markets, it was a difficult time because she was all alone in the cold, that really touched me. It was a duty for me to help her and today, the fact of having been able to buy her house, of having helped her at certain times in her life, it makes me happy and her, too,” Upamecano said.
Real to make summer play for Rodri (ESPN)
Real Madrid might really be plotting a big summer, eh?
Aside of Nico Schlotterbeck, Real Madrid could be planning to make a move on Manchester City star Rodri:
Real Madrid will try to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri in the summer, as reported by Marca. The 29-year-old made his return from a long-term injury in City’s 0-0 draw against Sunderland last week, but has a contract that expires in 2027, something Los Blancos will try to exploit to bring him in. Madrid’s hope is to exert pressure on the Premier League club to lower the cost of a move, as City may have to consider letting him leave to avoid letting him go as a free agent the following year.
LFC won’t loan Chiesa (Gianluca DiMarzio)
Liverpool is reportedly not open to a loan of Federico Chiesa, but would be willing to talk about a permanent sale:
Juventus are looking to bring in Federico Chiesa to strengthen their attack for the second half of the season.
The Italian striker, who arrived at Liverpool in the summer of 2024 from Juventus, has a contract with the Reds that expires on June 30, 2028.
If Liverpool were to part with Chiesa , they would only do so on a permanent basis . At the moment, the Reds are also without Salah , who is busy with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, and Isak , who is dealing with a long-term injury.
Juventus ‘ preferred solution is a loan , and the club has reached out to the player’s entourage to explore the matter. Liverpool are currently unwilling to consider this option; we’ll see if any developments are made regarding what would be a return.
Freund amazed by Yamal (Servus Nachrichten via @iMiaSanMia)
You can count Bayern Munich sporting director among those impressed with FC Barcelona phenom Lamine Yamal.
“It’s incredible what’s already happened to him at such a young age. To play such a key role at FC Barcelona at 16 and 17 and to have already played so many games at this level is extreme in many areas – what’s happening around him and what’s happening on the pitch. Processing all of that, even mentally, isn’t easy. What’s going on around him, mentally and emotionally, is extreme. So many influences come at you in such a short period of time. Now, with all the social media, too. That’s why it’s so important that such young guys have a healthy environment,” Freund said.
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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