The Bayern Insider: Liverpool doesn’t scare Munich as Antoine Semenyo truth drops | OneFootball

Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Antoine Semenyo, Lennart Karl, Carlos Baleba and Fisnik Asllani.

Today’s top stories

FC Bayern have a small squad, and everyone knows the risk. You can see the team is getting a little bit tired towards the end of the year. However, you see they have so much quality in the win against Sporting Lisbon, not to mention “Charlemagne”, as we call him, Lennart Karl. He scored a fantastic goal yet again.

He’s 17 years old and now the youngest player ever to score in three consecutive Champions League games – better than Kylian Mbappe at this age! Bayern are very happy to have him. And remember – if they had bought Florian Wirtz, he would have never got this big chance. So, you see, sometimes you have a little bit of luck.

The hype around Karl is really big, and we have also contributed to that over at Sport Bild by having him on the title in our weekly magazine – the biggest one in Europe! He’s now a firm fan favourite. Bayern try to handle it; Vincent Kompany is always saying, “Don’t believe the hype!” But this hype seems like a really, really great story.

Lennart Karl’s agent, by the way, is Michael Ballack, and Michael told the club that it’s important for the teenager’s character that he is in front of the cameras and learns now how to work with the media, how to work with publicity. It’s really important to develop this player. He’s 17, but already a leader on the pitch, and could be a leader for the future.

England wants Daniel Peretz?

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✅ It is TRUE: A Championship club, Southampton, have an eye on Daniel Peretz. The Israeli international is currently on loan at Hamburg SV. Bayern sent him out on loan to get playing time; now they’re searching for a new club for him, and Southampton are a club that is interested. It would be a very good experience for him, potentially in the Premier League if Southampton get promoted this season.

Alexander Nübel is another one whose future may lie beyond the borders of Munich. Bayern want to find him a team in the Premier League, but not on loan – they want to sell him! They hope there is a club that can pay him. He currently has a salary of €10m [£8.75m] a year. Bayern are still paying for two-thirds of this, even as he plays for VfB Stuttgart.

So Bayern want him sold to the Premier League, then Manuel Neuer can get a one-year contract extension. Then the successor will be Jonas Urbig, who’s doing the job very well.

Sacha Boey to Crystal Palace is looking difficult

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He costs a lot of money and he’s not playing very much at the moment. Sacha Boey had a brief period where he was enjoying minutes. He cost €30m [£26.2m] when FC Bayern bought him from Galatasaray, and of course, Bayern wants a bit of money back. This is the problem. €10m-15m would be the price, but Crystal Palace aren’t prepared to pay this in the winter. So, it could be that this deal will collapse. Nonetheless, there are talks between the clubs.

The head coach, Oliver Glasner, and the sporting director of Bayern, Christoph Freund, are very close, both Austrian, both having done their schooling at the RB empire. Both worked at Salzburg. They are talking. It remains to be seen if it will all work out. Also because Vincent Kompany wants to keep every player he can.

Bayern eyeing move for Virgilio Olaya

✅ It is TRUE: We can confirm Fabrizio Romano’s exclusive that Bayern are interested in Virgilio Olaya. However, there are a few little problems because the player is 17 years old and from South America, which means you can’t buy him so easily. We would not be able to let him play in the second team, so this is why Bayern are searching for a loan. They potentially want to give Olaya to LAFC or Grasshopper Zurich. Both are partner clubs. Then they can buy him. On February 3rd, he’s turning 18 – then they can sign him!

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Is it all over for Nico Schlotterbeck and Bayern Munich?

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✅ It is TRUE: Bayern are keeping an eye on Nico Schlotterbeck. They are still interested but they’re just, at the moment, keeping an eye on Dayot Upamecano. There’s still hope that he’ll sign a new contract amid ongoing interest from Real Madrid and PSG. But, as you know, Nico Schlotterbeck is not very confident at Borussia Dortmund at the moment. They played a 2-2 with Bodo Glimt, which isn’t what he wants – he wants to win titles! That’s why he’s really ready for a move.

I heard that Schlotterbeck’s family are big Bayern Munich fans. So, they would like for him to be playing for a club in Germany that’s winning nearly everything. Also, he has a big fan over at Bayern Munich, and this is Uli Hoeneß. If Hoeneß likes a player, then he has a good chance to play in Munich! But of course, if Upamecano is signing a new contract, it’s getting difficult. Schlotterbeck has another year left on his contract at Dortmund, so he will cost a fee. Bayern Munich, at the moment, are confident with their squad in the defence, so we have to see how Upamecano will decide on his future.

In the meantime, Bayern Munich have their shortlist. On it is Nico Schlotterbeck, Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig, and a few other names. At the moment, Schlotterbeck is right at the top of this list.

How goes Dayot Upamecano’s contract talks?

Uli Hoeneß mentioned that they’re very confident Upamecano will sign a new contract. I talked with the club, and there’s no decision yet in one direction or another. We know he has an offer on the table from Bayern Munich but I heard already that it won’t be the last one. If there’s still a chance of the centre-back signing and the agents want to talk about some clauses or a little more money, they still can talk. It’s not the last offer.

All in all, he could earn up to €20m [£17.5m] gross, which is a lot for Bayern for a defender. At the minute, he can earn up to €16m [£14m]. So you can see that FC Bayern are doing everything they can to keep hold of the player. They would say it’s the most important transfer internally if they can get him on a new contract.

Could Kobbie Mainoo leave Manchester United?

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❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are planning a move for Kobbie Mainoo in the January transfer window. I heard other rumours that Bayern want to sign the Manchester United star in the winter. This is not a topic for Bayern Munich. For the summer, of course, they have a long shortlist for players in the midfield. They’re searching for a successor for Leon Goretzka who is currently set to become a free agent in the summer. Both sides are not yet clear for the future.

Kobbie Mainoo is a player who could be a prospective target, but Bayern are indeed searching for younger players. There is a shortlist that contains Nathan De Cat (17) from Anderlecht, Ze Lucas (17), Kennet Eichhorn (16), and now also Valentin Barco (21) of Strasbourg. So, you see, they are looking for some talents. I’m not sure if Mainoo fits in this, but of course he’s an option.

Will Bayern pursue Carlos Baleba?

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The Bayern “shortlist” is, of course, very long! They know the player. Kees Smit is also a player on this list. But at the moment I think they’re so good in the midfield; they have Pavlovic, they have Kimmich, and a very big talent in Tom Bischof. They’re having a look at the market and making a lot of telephone calls in Europe. Of course, a talent like Carlos Baleba is on the list, but at the moment, nothing hot!

Could Bayern take revenge on Newcastle after Woltemade saga?

It would be a nice revenge for Bayern Munich to sign reported Newcastle target Kees Smit! He’s a nice player who is within the club’s price range; he’s about €22m [£19.2m]. I don’t think he will be the choice at the end. He’s interesting, of course, but I think Bayern Munich will choose a younger player from continental Europe. Nonetheless, he’s an option. First of all, they will check what’s happening with Leon Goretzka before deciding who to buy.

Bayern confident of keeping Michael Olise

✅ It is TRUE: Bayern Munich are keeping an eye on the transfer market in England and what’s happening with Antoine Semenyo. They’re not afraid of losing Michael Olise. There’s no chance that anyone can get this player. The club made it clear; they’re already working on a new contract so Michael Olise can earn more and remain convinced to stay longer. Otherwise, the contract is long enough (expiring in the summer of 2029). So, they’re really, really confident in this position.

There were already rumours about Mohamed Salah signing for Bayern Munich, which could then free Olise to go to Liverpool. No chance on this! Max Eberl made it clear: Salah is not on the list at Bayern Munich. He’s too expensive and, though Eberl didn’t say it, he’s too old.

Harry Kane to sign a new contract?

Yes, Bayern Munich have an eye on extending Harry Kane’s stay in Munich. Both sides have made it clear that they don’t have to talk before the clause runs out. That’s a sign of trust from Harry Kane in the club to say, “I feel so comfortable, you don’t have to buy the clause from me and I’m not playing poker with it either.” That’s why Bayern Munich are very confident they can get him signed again.

There are two different views on this. Bayern wants to talk in the Spring, but Kane is feeling so confident – and is concentrating on winning the Champions League and the World Cup for England – that he’s thinking it’s okay if they open talks after the World Cup. So, you see, there’s a lot of time, and both sides are really relaxed. It’s a combination that’s great for everyone. It’s a win-win situation for Bayern, for Harry Kane, and for England!

A surprise meeting with England manager Thomas Tuchel

It was really funny! After the World Cup draw in Washington, I took the wrong bus by accident, as I had to go to an interview at the Hilton to meet Rudi Völler, Germany’s sporting director. The volunteer told me, “This is the bus to the Hilton”. I got on it, and I was sitting between all the national team head coaches, and Thomas Tuchel was looking at me like, “Hey, what is this guy doing on our bus?” But he was really nice, and it’s always nice when we meet again (he was the former head coach at FC Bayern). We had a photo together and a great time on the bus!

Is Said El Mala waiting for summer Bayern move?

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✅ It is TRUE: Said El Mala could head to Bayern this summer. Bayern are also delighted that the player wants to stay put over the winter window at his club to continue his education. Ultimately, FC Bayern don’t need him right this moment, so it’s good he can keep getting playing time. Of course, they will do everything they can to ensure they don’t lose El Mala to another league. It’s always hard to get the player back in the Bundesliga!

At the moment, Bayern are of the opinion that he’s a player for the future. So, if he would like a change in the summer, they will talk. But they don’t have to. Indeed, there were talks last week on Tuesday with the agents of Serge Gnabry. He’s performing very well and scored in the Champions League to equalise against Sporting. He’s in really good shape. Gnabry is set to become a free agent in the summer, so he’s got a really good chance of a new contract again.

If Gnabry signs again, there’s no need to get a talent now in his position. Of course, as you know, Bayern don’t want to lose German national players to any other clubs. So, if he will make a move and wants to make the next step in the summer transfer window, Bayern Munich will be at the table.

Could Fisnik Asllani sign for Bayern?

✅ It is TRUE: Bayern are interested in Fisnik Asllani. He’s an exciting, young German player. He was already in the goals last season and enjoyed a great campaign. Asllani is on the shortlist. Bayern still have to decide what they want to do in the summer. But it’s worth noting that the plan with Nicolas Jackson didn’t work out. It was bad luck for him that Lennart Karl is so good this season! The idea was that he’d be a suitable backup to bring in at the front, perhaps keeping Harry Kane back in the middle. However, Bayern are playing Lennart Karl, so there’s no place for Jackson at the moment; he’s frequently on the bench.

Of course, for the future, they need a backup option for Kane. Asllani would be an opportunity. Of course, he’s young, and perhaps it’s better that he’s getting developmental minutes at Hoffenheim. Still, if he wants to make the next step – and there’s a release clause in his contract (about €25m-30m [£21.8m-£26.2m]). So, Bayern are thinking about him.

I can say it’s not true that Barcelona are interested in Fisnik Asllani. There were rumours in Spain about this, but I can say it’s not the case.