Bayern scoping Thiago? (Fichajes)
File this transfer rumors in the highly-unlikely-but-why-the-hell-not category, but did Bayern Munich come close to a deal for Brentford striker Igor Thiago?
Per this loose report, Bayern Munich did, in fact, believe it was close to a deal and is still trying to procure the scorer but faces competition from Manchester City and Chelsea:
In Germany, the deal was considered a done deal. Bayern Munich had made positive contact and saw Igor Thiago as a strategic asset to strengthen their attack in the medium term. The plan was finalized, and the Bavarian club was confident of completing the signing without any problems.
However, the script has changed. Manchester City and Chelsea have now entered the race and completely altered the balance. Both English clubs have intensified their monitoring and are already exploring ways to convince Brentford to open formal negotiations.
At the Etihad, they believe the striker’s profile fits perfectly into their attacking structure. Manchester City values his physical strength, his ability to hold up center-backs, and his clinical finishing in the box. His 17 Premier League goals attest to his consistent and undeniable progress. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea sees the operation as a double opportunity: to strengthen their sporting project and, at the same time, to thwart a move that Bayern Munich had practically finalized.
Brentford remain calm, confident in their position following the striker’s contract renewal. There’s no urgency to sell, but growing interest from Manchester City, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich could significantly increase the transfer fee.
Igor Thiago has been a key player in Brentford ‘s system this season. Beyond his goalscoring record, his mobility and ability to press high have made him a complete striker, ready to take the next step in competitive football.
Bayern Munich did not expect this English offensive. What seemed like a controlled negotiation has turned into an open battle. The German club must now react if it wants to prevent Manchester City or Chelsea from snatching away a signing they considered strategic.
Sources close to the player indicate that the final decision will depend on the sporting project and the prominent role offered. Competing for titles in England or establishing himself in the Bundesliga are attractive options. The feeling in the market is clear: Manchester City and Chelsea have decided to make a strong push to steal the deal from Bayern Munich. The battle is on, and the outcome will be one of the most intense moves of the upcoming European transfer window.
Thiago just signed a contract extension last week and is valued at €35 million by Transfermarkt — a figure that might be tough for Bayern Munich to swallow for a back-up striker even if Brentford was willing to sell him.
Surely, the Bavarians will be looking for an understudy to Harry Kane this summer, but it might be too difficult of a deal to get Thiago.
Thiago is a talented player — no doubt — but the most amazing thing about him might be that he is only 24-years-old because he looks at least 10 years older than that!
Eichhorn will have choice of top clubs (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk)
If Bayern Munich truly wants to get Hertha Berlin youngster Kennet Eichhorn, it could have to fend off Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund, and as many as six (!?) clubs from the Premier League:
✅ It is TRUE: Eintracht Frankfurt are very interested in Kennet Eichhorn. But it’s also true that Bayern Munich are still in the race. Many big six clubs from the Premier League are also interested in the 16-year-old midfielder. He’s playing very well for Hertha. Everyone is saying he’s such a talented starlet, and it’s only natural that clubs want to sign him now before he finds his place at another big club. Remember Lennart Karl (17)? Many clubs would love to have him in their squads now, but there’s no chance because he has a long-term contract at Bayern Munich. If you’re 16, you don’t have a long-term contract with anyone, as you can’t sign one. Whoever manages to snap up Eichhorn will have to make sure they get him on a long, long contract once he turns 18.
Frankfurt is one interested party, and Bayern Munich are also very interested, as are Borussia Dortmund. To be honest, every German club would love to sign him, but if these three Bundesliga clubs are at the table, it’s then getting harder for the rest! There’s still a chance for the Premier League to snatch this player, but if you’re young and German, you might be well-advised to stay put and continue your development in Germany. It’s also worth noting that Eichhorn shares the same agent as Jamal Musiala, and he’s also still in the Bundesliga. Some fans call the Bundesliga a “farmer’s league”. Perhaps there’s some truth here, in that the German top-flight is pretty good at farming local German talent.
There are rumors going around that Bayern Munich has already bailed from the race for Eichhorn and will, instead, favor an internal option to replace Leon Goretzka. All of that will be worked out in the coming weeks.
Palhinha’s future in doubt (TEAMtalk)
Tottenham Hotspur’s recent sacking of Thomas Frank could spell doom for Bayern Munich’s hopes of selling João Palhinha to Spurs on a permanent deal this summer:
Joao Palhinha’s chances of securing a permanent move to Tottenham Hotspur have been plunged into fresh uncertainty following the sacking of Thomas Frank.
The former Tottenham boss was a driving force behind the club’s decision to sign the Portugal international on loan from Bayern Munich last summer. It had been understood that Palhinha’s best opportunity of turning that temporary switch into a full-time deal hinged on Frank remaining in charge.
While Spurs and Bayern enjoy good relations, sources have consistently indicated that the Bundesliga giants were unlikely to receive a definitive answer on Palhinha’s future until the end of the season.
But Frank’s exit has now complicated that picture.
The loan agreement includes an option to buy, worth an initial fee of around £22million (€25m / $30m). It is a figure considered reasonable given Palhinha’s pedigree and experience at the top level.
However, with uncertainty now surrounding Spurs’ managerial direction and transfer priorities, there is no guarantee the clause will be triggered.
Karl’s little bro is lighting it up (@RisingStarXI)
Check out this little sequence involving Vincent Karl, the younger brother of Bayern Munich youngster Lennart:
If rumors are true, Vincent Karl is expected to join Bayern Munich’s youth program in the coming months.
ICYMI: Sterling inked deal with Feyenoord (Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg)
In the midst of all of the craziness of late, you might have missed this one — Raheem Sterling inked a deal to play with Feyenoord for the rest of this season:
Milan could make move for McKennie (ESPN)
AC Milan could be looking to pry Weston McKennie away from Juventus:
AC Milan are keen to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie on a free transfer, Calciomercato reports. The USMNT player has been a consistent starter for Juve boss Luciano Spalletti, and Bianconeri officials have made it a top priority to get the 27-year-old to commit to the club beyond his existing contract, which runs out in June. However, last week Tuttosport reported that Inter Milan are hoping to sign McKennie as a free agent in the summer, and now their city rivals Milan have entered the fray.
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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