Another report links Bayern to Stones (Football Insider)
For the second time this month, Bayern Munich has been loosely linked to a move for Manchester City defender John Stones:
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Bayern are eyeing Stones thanks to his relationship with Vincent Kompany.
Man City have no plans to renew Stones’ contract as things stand amid concerns about his fitness, but the Bundesliga champions are willing to take the gamble.
“Bayern Munich will be working on a deal for Stones, I expect,” Brown told Football Insider. “They want a new centre-back in the summer, they thought it was going to be Marc Guehi but City beat them to him, so who else is available? Stones stands out as the clear contender when you look at who’s available for free, and they’ll want to make progress towards an agreement when his contract runs out.
“He’s an England international and when he’s fit he’s a top-line player, and the Bundesliga is less demanding physically than the Premier League. Plus, Vincent Kompany knows him well after they played together at City. There are obvious concerns about his fitness, he hasn’t been fit to play for City when they’ve had major problems at the back, so it’s difficult to assess his position. He only plays about 20 games per season at the moment and that’s not good enough for any top side. But if Bayern Munich feel they can manage his issues better than City have, and think they can get the best out of him, then it could be a good move for them.”
It still feels like this is more speculation than anything, but it is picking up steam. On paper, it makes some sense — especially when you consider that Bayern Munich is reportedly looking to convince Kim Min-jae to leave the club this summer. Everton is also reportedly interested in Stones as well.
One big obstacle could be with the willingness of Stones to make a move to Germany to join his pals, Kompany and Harry Kane. As of now, we will still just consider this Schmankerl-fodder, but crazier things have happened.
No release clause for Kane this month (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
There were some rumors that Harry Kane has a release clause that could be activated this month, but Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk says that is not true:
❌ It is NOT TRUE: Harry Kane’s release clause is valid in February, and Saudi Pro League clubs are lining up to sign him. I asked everyone again about this subject, and they said, “No, no way!” The release clause extended only to January – there’s no existing release clause at the moment. The next one will be next year in January. So, no chance that he will be sold. That’s why Saudi Arabia can only dream about this transfer. Bayern Munich ultimately want to extend Kane’s contract.
Remember, when Bayern Munich were in talks to complete the signing of the striker from Tottenham, Saudi Arabia came in and told him he could earn as much as €200m [£174.2m], and the player said, “No.” So, you see, with the greatest of respect to the Saudi Pro League, Harry Kane wants to win the biggest trophies in world football; he wants to win the Champions League. I don’t know what will happen if Bayern win the treble this season. Perhaps then he’ll think he’s achieved everything he wanted to achieve at a professional level in European football. Perhaps then it’ll be the time to take the really big payday. We can cross that bridge when we come to it, of course. In the meantime, Harry will stay in Munich.
Kane seems set to ink a contract extension, but the timing of when that will happen has not been nailed down.
Snoochie boochies, Erling (Bavarian Football Works)
I can’t even explain it, but this pic of Erling Haaland just needed a place in the Schmankerl:
This is all I can think of:
Bayern, Stuttgart not talking about deal for Nübel (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart are reportedly not discussing a deal for Alexander Nübel at this point:
❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern and Stuttgart are in fresh talks over a deal for Alexander Nübel for the 2026/27 campaign. There aren’t any talks at the moment because VfB Stuttgart can’t afford the goalkeeper. We talked previously about his salary (€10m [£8.7m] a year), which is a lot of money! I spoke with Lothar Matthäus, Germany’s world champion from 1990, this weekend, and he said that if you see Nübel’s salary – and consider the fact he’s not the No.1 goalkeeper for FC Bayern – they spent €30m-40m [£26.1m-34.8m] over the years on his salary without utilising him on a consistent basis.
Matthäus urged Bayern to sell him, and it’s just the Premier League that could be interesting for the 29-year-old, as they have to get this money back into the club coffers. They hope they’ll get an offer from the Premier League. That’s possible. In the past, Brighton held some interest in Alexander Nübel. Bayern are trying to find a club for him.
Nübel’s future does not appear to be with Bayern Munich, but he could return to the club this summer as the club attempts to figure out what to do next with the goalkeeper.
Gunners planning more talks with Goretzka (Metro)
Arsenal is plotting to have more talks with Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka:
Arsenal are planning further talks to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka in the summer transfer window, according to reports in Germany. Goretzka will be a free agent this summer after Bayern Munich announced last month that the 31-year-old will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Germany international turned down an approach from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, while Arsenal also made a late enquiry. However, Goretzka wanted to remain at Bayern for the remainder of the campaign as Vincent Kompany’s side are still in contention to win the Bundesliga, the Champions League and the DFB Pokal. According to BILD’s Christian Falk, Arsenal have retained their interest in Goretzka and will hold further talks over a summer move.
AC Milan to spurn interest on Pulisic (ESPN)
As much as Christian Pulisic has been listed in the transfer rumors of late, AC Milan could be reluctant to sell him:
AC Milan are set to dismiss interest in USMNT winger Christian Pulisic from Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to Football Insider. Previous reports have indicated that an offer of around €70 million could be required to tempt the Serie A club to part ways with the 27-year-old, but the Rossoneri reportedly want to keep hold of him. Pulisic is currently Milan’s top scorer, having scored eight times in the league this 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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