No talks for Karl…yet (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Despite other reports, Bayern Munich is not engaging in contract talks with 18-year-old phenom Lennart Karl just yet:
❌ It is NOT TRUE: Contract talks with Lennart Karl are officially underway. The contract is now one year longer than it was at the beginning of the season (extended to 2029). Bayern are really interested in extending this to the summer of 2031. However, at the moment, there are no talks between the club and his management. Michael Ballack, his agent (and a former Chelsea and Bayern Munich
player and captain of the national side), knows all the key figures at the club, so talks could be very simple with Bayern. At the moment, Karl is earning €2m [£1.7m] a year now, which is pretty great for a 17-year-old footballer! FC Bayern are more than aware of the fact that he has so much time left in his career, so they’re happy to wait. Lennart Karl can certainly ensure he has a stronger negotiating position if he waits. So, at the moment, Bayern don’t feel there’s a pressing need to talk!
Karl’s current deal automatically extended on his 18th birthday through 2029, but it has been rumored that Karl and Bayern Munich are working on a deal that would keep him in Bavarian through 2031. When that happens, though, is a mystery. Karl’s camp could be holding out to see if he gets a World Cup call-up (even though it seems unlikely right now), which could up his value.
Regardless, it appears that the two sides are aiming for a longer relationship.
Real, LFC eyeing Schlotterbeck (ESPN)
Real Madrid and Liverpool FC could both be looking to make a move for Borussia Dortmund center-back Nico Schlotterbeck:
Real Madrid are set to join Liverpool in the battle to sign Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, Mundo Deportivo reports. Los Blancos reportedly have the Germany centre-back down as a top target for the summer, when he enters his final year under contract with Dortmund. Liverpool have been linked with Schlotterbeck, with Ibrahima Konaté approaching the final few months of his contract at Anfield, while Virgil van Dijk’s deal is due to expire at the end of next season. The Reds have already agreed a deal to sign Jérémy Jacquet from Stade Rennais to help strengthen the defensive department in the summer, but it’s unclear whether Schlotterbeck will join him at this stage.
The odds for Bayern Munich to get into the fray for Schlotterbeck are long at this point, but there are several x-factors. First, Kim Min-jae is being shopped and could eventually decide to move. Second, if Schlotterbeck has a strong World Cup, it could spur the Bavarians to reach outside of their comfort zone.
It could happen, though it would take a lot for it to go down.
Pavard getting interest from Dortmund, Saudis (Transfer journalist Nicolò Schira)
Speaking of Borussia Dortmund — if Nico Schlotterbeck does leave, Benjamin Pavard could be a potential solution for the center-back position:
BVB and a Saudi Club have asked info for Benjamin #Pavard, who is not in #Inter’s Plans. Inter are working to sell him because #OlympiqueMarseille have no longer the willing to trigger the option to buy (15M). #transfers #OM #TeamOM
Milan could be looking to bring in Jackson (ESPN)
AC Milan could be a potential destination for Chelsea loanee and Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson:
AC Milan have added Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson to the top of their transfer wish list of strikers for the summer, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. The Senegal international is unlikely to remain at Bayern Munich, where he has received just 641 minutes of football so far in his loan spell this season, and will be available on another loan deal with a permanent option included. Milan have made him a target, while they have also shown interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy.
Jackson was unhappy at Chelsea and he is rumored to be dissatisfied at Bayern Munich. Clearly, the only thing that will make him content is being on the field. The catch on that is that you have to perform to stay on the field. For it to work with Milan, Jackson would have to hit the ground running.
ICYMI: Werner assists in debut for San Jose (MLS)
Former RB Leipzig attacker Timo Werner made his debut in a 2-0 victory for the San Jose Earthquakes over the Atlanta Fire in MLS:
Werner has had a rough go in recent years, so it would be good to see him have some success on the West Coast.
Gunners, LFC chasing Gordon (ESPN)
Arsenal and Liverpool are both interested in Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon:
Arsenal are ahead of Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, according to The Sun. The Gunners believe the 25-year-old would be happy to move to London, with a fee of around £75 million expected to be enough, despite the Magpies demanding £95 million to sign the England international. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a long-time admirer of Gordon, although signing him could see Brazil winger Gabriel Martinelli leave the Emirates.
Neuer’s future up in the air (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Manuel Neuer is still undecided on what he will do next — play (at least) another year or retire. Right now, not even Bayern Munich knows, but if Neuer does come back, he will play less games next season:
✅ It is TRUE: If Manuel Neuer signs a new contract with Bayern Munich, he would have to agree to give up more playing time to Jonas Urbig. This was the initial idea behind the transfer of the now 22-year-old shotstopper. Bayern are, in fact, very happy that they already have a successor in the squad in Urbig, so they believe they don’t need a new No.1. But they have to wait for Neuer’s contract decision. When the 39-year-old has his 40th birthday – he’ll celebrate it soon during the international break – there will be talks, but nobody really knows how he’ll decide on his future. There’s currently a 50-50 chance. But it’s also interesting to note that Urbig isn’t so keen to step into Manuel Neuer’s boots that he has to go and be the definitive No.1 immediately. He sees the benefit of having more time to develop and getting more games next season. There, of course, would be less focus on whether he’s making a mistake in every game, so this could be a win-win situation for both ‘keepers. In the end, Neuer has to decide. Bayern Munich would be prepared to give him a new contract.
This writer would guess that Neuer is leaning toward retirement, but also acknowledge that if the goalkeeper came back, he would still be effective. If he played a little less, he might be able to swing another top notch — and more healthy — season.
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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