Norway v Denmark - UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group A4 MD1
OSLO, NORWAY - SEPTEMBER 24: Erling Haaland of Norway reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Norway and Denmark at Ullevaal Stadion on September 24, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)
CSmith1919 Chuck Smith is the site manager for Bavarian Football Works, where he began writing in 2017. He is the author of The Daily Schmankerl, the longest-running daily Bayern Munich column in English, and also writes The Weekend Warm-Up. In addition to covering Bayern Munich news and providing commentary on Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga, and the German national team. He brings more than 30 years of sports-writing experience to the site. Over the course of his career, he has written for numerous newspapers and websites.
Bayern to challenge Real for Haaland (Madrid Universal)
There is mass hysteria surrounding what might (or might not) happen with Manchester City, and potential sanctions that could be levied against the club by the Premier League.
As such, Bayern Munich is (again) being linked to Erling Haaland and is rumored to be headed to battle with Real Madrid for the superstar Norwegian:
Now, as reported by Bernabeu Digital, Real Madrid have a big competitor who have entered the race and it is none other than Bayern Munich. The Bavarians rate Haaland highly and are alert to any possibility of landing the player from Manchester City in the upcoming transfer windows. If he is made available, they will push for him.
Their entry onto the scene, needless to say, adds serious competition and will possibly increase the hypothetical transfer fee that will be involved as there is likely to be a bidding war.
From Bayern’s perspective, they see the player to be a good fit given his history in Germany with Borussia Dortmund and his effectiveness in front of goal which will make him the perfect Harry Kane replacement.
It is way too early to tell what is going on with City or if Haaland will even be available. Given the rumors about Harry Kane being near a deal for a contract extension, the timing might not work out for the Bavarians even if Haaland does hit the market.
We can all dream, though, right?
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Real to make a move for Van Dijk? (ESPN)
Real Madrid might be taking a look at Liverpool center-back Virgil van Dijk:
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk could join Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season, according to Mundo Deportivo. The 35-year-old central defender has not received an offer of a renewal from Liverpool officials, suggesting that his time at the club could be coming to a natural conclusion. Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, who already has Van Dijk’s former teammates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté in his defensive ranks, both also signed at the end of their Liverpool contracts, is interested in adding another center back. However, Madrid are not the only club monitoring the situation, with AC Milan, Galatasaray and Inter Miami also mentioned as potential destinations. Van Dijk joined Liverpool in 2018 and helped transform the club’s fortunes, playing his part in the club winning every domestic trophy as well as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup.
Süle takes shift in between the sticks (Andrés Weiss)
Niklas Süle continues to live his best life:
You all know that NIKLAS SÜLE retired and now he’s in a new stage as an AMATEUR football player.
It seems that being a center-back wasn’t enough.
Because in his last match he was GOALKEEPER.
Here you have a video that collects his “best” moments.
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Rummenigge says Kane deserves Ballon d’Or (Abendzeitung via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge feels like Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d’Or.
”Harry scored a total of 73 goals for Bayern and England last season — only Lionel Messi was more successful in a single year this millennium. That is the benchmark. And strikers often win this award. I also asked AI about it. The answer was: Harry has a 68% probability of winning. Let’s hope that’s how it turns out.
“It’s been a long time since a Bayern player won the Ballon d’Or. It has been more than four decades since my two awards in 1980 and 1981. That’s why such an achievement would have a very special significance today - not only for the player, but for the entire FC Bayern.
“Harry is a huge role model for the team and especially for the younger players. He has this incredible goal-scoring record, which is outstanding. And he plays passes to the left and right as if they had been drawn with a ruler, precise to the millimeter. He has developed even further as a footballer. And Harry is a special person. Fans have a sensitive instinct for people. It is no coincidence that they love Harry.
“(Kylian) Mbappé and (Lamine) Yamal? They are both, of course, great players. But I definitely think Harry’s somewhat introverted personality is more appealing. It also reflects his character, because Harry lets his goals, performances and titles speak for themselves, something he has fortunately been doing for the past two years. The most important criterion for the Ballon d’Or is individual performance, and in that regard, Harry has the edge.”
Tuchel didn’t address City issue with players (ESPN)
When asked if he spoke to his Manchester City players about the recent charges against the club, England national team coach Thomas Tuchel said that he did not address the matter with them:
Asked if he had to look after England’s City players in Prague, Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I did not. I have a bad conscience now.
“I did not actually because I’m just focused on everything what we have to deal with here and to prepare the team, so I did not talk to them about the issue and I will not comment on it.”
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Bayern urged to get De Jong (Barca News Network)
Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong have been linked together since roughly 2017. Obviously, nothing has happened on that front, but there is someone who thinks the move should happen — former Dutch football star Rafael van de Vaart.
“With all due respect, I think Joshua Kimmich’s time could come to an end at some point. And you have to be prepared. The arrival of Frenkie would make Bayern an even better team, he could even play at this stage alongside Kimmich,” Van de Vaart told Sport Bild (via Sport).
It feels like both De Jong and Bayern Munich missed the window for such a move even if there is some mutual admiration. At 29-years-old, De Jong is no longer a young player, so Bayern Munich has likely moved on. De Jong’s affinity for Barca likely prevented him from making a move to Bavaria earlier in his career.
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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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