Napoli latest to emerge as serious candidate to get Goretzka (Totto Mercato Web via @iMiaSanMia)
Another club has emerged as a contender to acquire oft-maligned Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka — Napoli.
However, one obstacle is that Napoli wants Goretzka…now.
While that would make Goretzka’s vocal legion of haters happy (Come on, show your faces in the comments! 🤣), the Bavarians would probably not thin out their depth for the stretch run of the season:
Napoli are looking to strengthen their midfield in January and see Leon Goretzka as the preferred candidate. However, Bayern are unlikely
to sell Goretzka mid-season even though his contract will expire in the summer. Therefore the Italian champions are looking at other names like Kobbie Mainoo, Soungoutou Magassa and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Goretzka seems to have a lot of clubs eager to bring him now right now. For his sake, let’s hope that remains the same for the summer and he can land on his feet after leaving Bayern Munich — which seems inevitable at this point.
Jackson, Díaz, Upamecano earn rave reviews (Who Scored via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson earned a place on WhoScored.com’s AFCON Team of Matchday 1 where he had a brace for Senegal:
Meanwhile, Luis Díaz and Dayot Upamecano were the only two Bayern Munich players to earn a spot on Goal’s European Team of the Season (so far):
United to make splash for Guéhi? (CaughtOffside)
Bayern Munich has been closely linked to Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guéhi for months now, but Manchester United could be looking to swoop in and steal the England international:
One of the top targets remain Jarrad Branthwaite. The Everton defender’s Premier League experience, physical presence, and improving composure in possession make him a strong candidate for Amorim’s system.
Another key option is Marc Guéhi. Beyond his defensive quality and leadership, Guéhi also helps United meet homegrown player requirements, an increasingly important factor in squad construction.
United are also casting an eye toward the future. Honest Ahanor, the highly rated 17-year-old from Atalanta, is firmly on the club’s radar. Seen as a high-upside project, Ahanor fits Amorim’s preference for recruiting young talents who can be developed internally.
On the left side, Nathaniel Brown is another name being considered. His athleticism and comfort pushing forward make him an appealing option in a system that demands attacking output from wide defenders.
Sure, Bayern Munich has met with Guéhi’s representatives multiple times, but that does not guarantee anything. As a pending free agent, the wild west opens up for Guéhi in just a few days. Will Bayern Munich be ready for a battle?
Alaba and Real headed toward a divorce (Fabrizio Romano)
Former Bayern Munich star David Alaba looks like he is in his final months with Real Madrid:
Alaba’s exit from Bayern Munich was not exactly smooth, but he is still a beloved figure in the club’s history. As far as Alaba and Real Madrid go, well, Total Recall has a line for that:
Lewy to change stance on Saudis? (ESPN)
Former Bayern Munich star and current FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski was once rumored to eschew the thought of going to Saudi Arabia.
Now?
Maybe not:
Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is keen to continue playing for as long as possible and is tempted by a two-year deal in Saudi Arabia, according to AS. The 37-year-old’s agent, Pina Zahavi, is set to meet Saudi Pro League representatives about a deal that would compete financially with the one currently on the table from MLS’ Chicago Fire. Meanwhile, the Spanish champions are keeping a watchful eye on the form of Levante striker Etta Eyong, according to Fabrizio Romano, with the forward enhancing his reputation by scoring the winning goal for Cameroon against Gabon at the Africa Cup of Nations on Christmas Eve.
The money could be overwhelming, but it still seems like a longshot that the “sometimes Foul Pole” would move his family to to Saudi Arabia at the moment.
Casemiro getting interest from MLS, others (CaughtOffside)
Manchester United defensive midfielder Casemiro will be on the move…but to where? MLC and the Middle East are both eager to bring him in:
Casemiro’s future is approaching a decisive moment as his Manchester United contract runs toward its conclusion, with growing interest from Major League Soccer and the Middle East shaping the next chapter of his career. The Brazilian midfielder remains a respected figure at Old Trafford, but any extension beyond the current deal is far from straightforward, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
While a new contract remains on the table, United are reluctant to activate a 12-month option at Casemiro’s existing salary level, making it clear that any stay would require a significant pay cut. That stance has opened the door to serious conversations elsewhere. In MLS, Columbus Crew have emerged as a particularly strong option. Columbus would likely need to structure a deal outside the designated player (DP) slot, placing Casemiro on a lower wage band supplemented by incentives, bonuses, and appearance-related triggers.
The financial contrast becomes stark when compared with Saudi Arabia. Interest from Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Hilal is described as firm, with all three capable of offering substantially more aggressive salary packages than any MLS side. A Saudi move would likely include a sizeable signing bonus, a high weekly wage, and performance-related add-ons.
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…
