Manchester City Training Session
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 8: Phil Foden of Manchester City in action during a training session at Manchester City Football Academy on October 8, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via 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.
Would have to be a sweet deal for Bayern to get Foden (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
There were some odd rumors linking Bayern Munich to Manchester City star Phil Foden a few weeks back, but nothing really came of them, despite Vincent Kompany’s rumored affinity for the English attacker.
Now, though, Sport Bild’s Christian Falk says that the Bavarians actually would have interest in Foden — if the price is right:
I can’t say it’s true that Bayern Munich’s reported interest in Phil Foden is particularly concrete. However, because Vincent Kompany knows this player very well from his time at Manchester City (and it would be potentially great to add him to Bayern’s squad), I can’t also firmly rule out the possibility. On the other hand, the Englishman would be very expensive! Bayern already have Luis Diaz on the pitch, and while he’s not an expensive player, he’s not cheap either. So, you have to ask where exactly Foden would play if he were a Bayern star. Bayern Munich is searching to bolster the left wing position, and I think something could happen in the January transfer window if there is a player available on the market who isn’t so expensive. Ideally, a young player. I wouldn’t say no to Phil Foden if he were on the market and affordable. But at the moment, it’s not hot. Let’s call this a “semi-true” story!
Foden has kind of lost his way a bit. Once considered to be the potential face of English football, the attacker has hit a massive plateau at Manchester City and looks like he could use a change of scenery. Sure, Bayern Munich would be a perfect spot for that kind of reclamation project, but the roster logistics and budget constraints do not make sense.
So what would Bayern Munich’s attitude be toward City if they offered Foden for an exorbitant fee? Well, check below:
Gunners to take another run at Álvarez (ESPN)
Arsenal has not given up hope on landing Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez:
Arsenal are preparing a fresh January bid to land Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, according to TEAMtalk. The Gunners are willing to include striker Viktor Gyökeres or winger Noni Madueke in any deal, with Álvarez now seriously considering a move to the Emirates after previously prioritizing Barcelona. Atlético won’t let the Argentina international transfer to Camp Nou, so if he wants to leave the club he will have to return to England.
Not this (bleep) again — another Olmo rumor (Barca Universal)
There have been some (more) bizarre rumors involving Bayern Munich. This set has involved FC Barcelona attacking Dani Olmo. And guess what? There are more:
FC Barcelona attacking midfielder Dani Olmo seems to be attracting strong interest from German champions Bayern Munich.
Reports emerged several weeks ago that the German club had identified the World Cup winner with Spain as a key addition to their attacking contingent, and that they were even considering a move for him as early as January. Now, building on that, reports in Germany, as relayed by SPORT, suggest that Bayern are prepared to take the next step.
According to the update, Bayern Munich are preparing a €90 million offer in an attempt to convince both Barcelona and Olmo. Bayern Munich’s hierarchy wants to strengthen their attack during the winter transfer window and are primarily looking for a player who can bring in greater creativity and versatility.
And Olmo fits that profile. The Spain international can operate as an attacking midfielder or on either wing, while he can also play as a false-nine, giving the Bavarian giants several options in the final third. That versatility is one of the reasons the German club’s interest in the Barcelona midfielder is said to be so strong. Furthermore, his experience in Germany, having played at RB Leipzig, only adds to the appeal.
However, Bayern have not yet submitted a formal offer to Barcelona. The German champions are understood to be preparing the details of a proposal, potentially worth around €90 million, before deciding whether to make an official move.
The 28-year-old is under contract with Barça until 2030 and, despite the interest from Bayern and other clubs, has not shown any intention of departing the La Liga champions. So far this season, Olmo has featured in all of Barcelona’s eight games but only played 342 minutes, in which he has registered three assists.
Similar to the Foden situation, the timing, roster logistics, and budget reality just are not a fit for this kind of move.
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Germany’s Jürgen Klopp to right-size talent pool for next international break
Quansah looking to leave Leverkusen? (ESPN)
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah is getting offers from some pretty big clubs:
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah could leave the German club next summer amid interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid, Sky Germany reveals. The 23-year-old England international’s former club Liverpool retain a €70 million clause to resign him, valid until June 2027, and could yet trigger that.
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A young Manuel Neuer? Lothar Matthäus sees ‘the next one’
Falk says Klopp has tough decisions ahead (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk thinks that Jürgen Klopp is going to have some difficult decisions to make in January when it comes to his lineup selections:
First of all, I’m very happy – it was our exclusive that revealed Manchester City had come in with an offer for Aleksandar Pavlović back in March. Despite the interest, I know that there’s no idea within the Pavlović camp of leaving Bayern Munich; he wants a big future with the Bundesliga champions, and he’s a big fan of the club (naturally, as you might expect of a player born in Munich). That’s great for Bayern Munich to have such players at the club.
We should also thank Jürgen Klopp for giving him opportunities in the last two matches with the German national side. He played really well and was the best player in the second squad. For context, Klopp had created two squads to handle two games each. Joshua Kimmich was in the first squad, with Pavlović selected for the second. Kimmich had initially hoped to be involved in all four games, given his status as the national captain, but Klopp was firm on wanting to see the young players in action without the Bayern veteran on the pitch. Now, everyone is asking whether, in a Jürgen Klopp system, it would be better to have a more defensively minded midfielder like Pavlović instead of Kimmich. This is a big debate in Germany.
Of course, some may wonder why Germany can’t just make it work with both players, given they play together at Bayern Munich. But Germany and Bayern use different systems, which creates different pressures and conundrums. For instance, Klopp uses just one six in the midfield instead of the two Vincent Kompany favours at Bayern. So, you can see why some are wondering whether or not Joshua Kimmich’s days are numbered in the national team. I don’t think so, because he’s far too good a footballer not to be involved in the national team, but it is a tactical question – and a difficult one for Jürgen Klopp.
Simons shippin’ off to Boston? (DW Sports)
Former RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons is headed to Harvard (or at least taking a Harvard course) while he recuperates from an ACL injury:
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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