The Bayern Insider: Thiaw to Bayern? Liverpool star could join Diaz? Real Madrid sniff out contract rebel | OneFootball

Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Harry Kane, Said El Mala, Joe Gomez and Nico Schlotterbeck.

Today’s top stories

Perhaps it’s a little bit of a German problem. You saw Dortmund in the Champions League, and there was a scene similar to the Joshua Kimmich mistake during Bayern v Frankfurt, where the goalkeeper didn’t clear the ball as well, and then there came a goal at the last minute from the penalty spot. In the Bayern game, it was a little surprising that it was Kimmich to make the error, as he’s the brain in midfield. It’s not normal for him to do things like this. Yes, things happen in the heat of the moment, and FC Bayern always have this idea under Vincent Kompany to play football – not just kick and rush! So, at the end, Kim Min-jae looked a little poor, because he could have come a little closer to receive the ball, but then there’s always the old rule that you shouldn’t play the ball across your own goal when in defence. It’s always dangerous!

Manuel Neuer’s tricky contract future

✅ It is TRUE: If Manuel Neuer signs a new contract with Bayern Munich, he would have to agree to give up more playing time to Jonas Urbig. This was the initial idea behind the transfer of the now 22-year-old shotstopper. Bayern are, in fact, very happy that they already have a successor in the squad in Urbig, so they believe they don’t need a new No.1. But they have to wait for Neuer’s contract decision. When the 39-year-old has his 40th birthday – he’ll celebrate it soon during the international break – there will be talks, but nobody really knows how he’ll decide on his future. There’s currently a 50-50 chance. But it’s also interesting to note that Urbig isn’t so keen to step into Manuel Neuer’s boots that he has to go and be the definitive No.1 immediately. He sees the benefit of having more time to develop and getting more games next season. There, of course, would be less focus on whether he’s making a mistake in every game, so this could be a win-win situation for both ‘keepers. In the end, Neuer has to decide. Bayern Munich would be prepared to give him a new contract.

Could Bayern lower their asking price for Kim Min-jae?

(Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

✅ It is TRUE: Bayern Munich would be prepared to sell Kim Min-jae. They already discussed the prospect of an exit last summer. The price is still a secret, but FC Bayern already know that they won’t get the money they paid for him (€50m [£43.6m]) from Napoli back in 2023. I think at the beginning of any potential negotiations next summer, they would be prepared to start at €40m [£34.9m]. However, if there was €30m [£26.1m] on the table, they would be open to talks. They’re thinking of bringing in a new defender if Kim does leave the club, otherwise, they will stick with the options they’ve got in central defence. They’re happy with Kim Min-jae as the third-choice option at centre-back, and the surprising thing is that the South Korean international is also happy with this situation. So, they’re not searching for interested clubs, and this would be the point: Kim Min-jae would have to be the first one to say, “I want to leave Bayern.” But this isn’t the case at the moment. So, it’s not so clear what any transfer fee would look like at the end.

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Galatasaray are interested in Kim Min-jae. There was interest in the player last summer, but it was never quite concrete. At the moment, there’s no interest from Galatasaray. Kim Min-jae himself played in the past in Turkey with Fenerbahçe. However, he’s not so keen to go back at the moment. If there were an offer on the table, and there was quite a lot of interest in the last winter window from Saudi Arabia, he would think about it. He would definitely think about an offer from the Premier League, but I’m afraid to say that Galatasaray are not interested, and Kim Min-jae isn’t so keen himself to go to Istanbul.

Max Eberl’s defensive transfer hint

(Photo by Leonhard Simon/Getty Images)

I think the focus from Bayern Munich is on the right-back position still. We’ve talked previously about interest in Feyenoord’s Givairo Read. This would be a solution, as he can play on the right and left, and also a little forward. This would be a point Bayern are prepared to pursue, but centre-backs aren’t really a topic at the moment – certainly not unless Kim Min-jae is sold.

There are rumours that the left-back position could be one for Bayern Munich to consider in the summer after Alphonso Davies picked up yet another injury at the weekend against Frankfurt. It’s happening so often of late, and it’s worth noting that he recently came back from a long-term injury. The Canadian’s a fast player, and such players have a propensity for getting injured quickly! At the moment, they don’t need somebody on the side because they have Davies and Hiroki Itō, and Tom Bischoff can also play there. But perhaps there’s some consideration to give to the future of the position, with Davies set to be sidelined for three weeks. Certainly so if Bayern feel confident that Alphonso Davies could struggle with injuries more often in future.

Real Madrid interest in Nico Schlotterbeck

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are worried about Real Madrid interest in Nico Schlotterbeck. They made the decision that they would look at signing a new centre-back had Dayot Upamecano not agreed on signing a new contract. But the Frenchman did put pen to paper! So, Bayern have decided on Upamecano – though not against Schlotterbeck, it should be emphasised. He would have been a sound alternative had FC Bayern needed a defender. So, they don’t see a situation where this topic would be brought to the table again. Even if Kim Min-jae were to leave the club, they don’t need a player like the Borussia Dortmund defender, because then you have three number one centre-backs between Jonathan Tah, Upamecano and Schlotterbeck! They would need a player behind the first-choice partnership, and this simply isn’t Nico Schlotterbeck.

I talked with my colleagues at BILD, who are reporting on Dortmund, and they think that Real Madrid’s interest in the 26-year-old is serious. I’m not sure if negotiations have begun with BVB, but they are keeping an eye on him, as are Premier League clubs like Liverpool. Manchester City, historically, have also had interest. Barcelona are not interested, and that situation is unlikely to change because they can’t currently afford his services.

Could Joe Gomez join Luis Diaz at Bayern Munich?

(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are monitoring Joe Gomez ahead of a summer move. I heard about the rumours as well, but at the moment, there isn’t any interest in the Liverpool centre-back. Bayern Munich are happy with their defensive options. There’s always something that could happen for the backup options, but it won’t be Joe Gomez’s name brought up at the table. They had contact with Luka Vušković’s management, but the 19-year-old (on loan at Hamburg SV) signalled that he won’t sign for Bayern Munich at the moment, as he wouldn’t be guaranteed regular playing time.

He has a dream: he wants to play with his brother, Mario Vušković, in Hamburg. The 24-year-old has been banned for two years after a doping case. But when he returns, he would love to explore that sporting relationship on the pitch. So you see in his mind what the future could look like: either more playing at Hamburg or a return to London and being an important part of Tottenham’s first team. Of course, if Spurs can’t guarantee the minutes he’s craving, then it will be a difficult situation. Still, he knows at Bayern Munich that he would be only the third or fourth choice centre-back at the club, and this simply isn’t what he’s dreaming of.

Inter Milan’s interest in Leon Goretzka

✅ It is TRUE: Inter Milan have a chance of signing Leon Goretzka this summer. Inter had a bad week in the Champions League, and now they’re discussing what they sorely need to add to their squad. An experienced player like Leon Goretzka, who is also very physical, could help this team. In Italy, age isn’t as big a factor as it is in the Bundesliga or England, which primarily likes to invest in young players. So, it’s not only InteSr who are interested, there’s also AC Milan and Juventus. I’m not sure if he’d decide to go to Serie A if he also has an offer from the Premier League. Of course, he first needs an offer from England, and it’s worth bearing in mind that he is 31 years old. However, I heard that Goretzka’s main target is the Premier League but he’s also interested in Italy.

Have Real Madrid turned their gaze to Konrad Laimer?

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Real Madrid are looking at a summer move for Konrad Laimer. Of course, we mentioned in the last column that the negotiations were on ice. They’re not talking at the moment. There were conversations recently over a new contract for Laimer, but he was a little disappointed with the offer on the table. The midfielder is looking for more money, as he’s seeing that Dayot Upamecano was rewarded with a very big contract, and likewise, Michael Olise is earning double what he’s bringing in. Konrad Laimer feels he deserves more because he’s always playing. Bayern Munich thinks that they need to carefully abide by their wage structure for the squad, and that Laimer doesn’t meet the criteria for the second group of players on the highest wages. But the 28-year-old doesn’t feel he belongs in the third grouping. They’re playing for time now, he and his agents. Laimer and his team saw that Upamecano had the advantage by opting to wait Bayern out. So, at the moment, Laimer will also wait for an offer. He wants one from Bayern, because he’s enjoying life in Munich. There is no offer from Real Madrid at the moment.

Nick Woltemade staying put at Newcastle

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

✅ It is TRUE: There is no contact between Bayern Munich and Nick Woltemade. At the moment, there are rumours suggesting that Newcastle would be prepared to sell the Germany international. However, this isn’t the case at the moment, because whilst the club would be prepared to sell him if Woltemade came to the manager or owners saying that he didn’t feel okay in the north east of England anymore, this hasn’t happened. There weren’t any talks between Woltemade and Newcastle in terms of a potential exit. That’s why there were also no talks with Bayern Munich over a potential move to the Allianz Arena.

He’s, of course, an option for the future, and Bayern are keeping an eye on the situation to see where Woltemade’s path leads. But otherwise, I know Nick Woltemade is just focused on the upcoming World Cup with the German national team. He won’t force any transfer before the competition, certainly not unless Newcastle start having second thoughts about the player themselves. For now, both sides aren’t thinking about opening discussions over a transfer.

Could Malick Thiaw sign for Bayern this summer?

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Bayern are interested in signing Malick Thiaw this summer. Of course, he’s an interesting player. He’s already played for the German national team, and if they’re searching for a new centre-back, Thiaw has a profile that’s of great interest. I know the player quite well, but at the moment, it doesn’t make any sense to bring the 24-year-old to Munich because of Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano. I heard that the player himself would, of course, see a better chance of more minutes with the national side if he were to make a move back to Germany. But Malick Thiaw is doing very well at Newcastle, and he’s enjoying his stay there, so there’s no pressure here! I heard that Manchester United, however, do have their eye on the centre-back, so perhaps this is the more interesting transfer story at the moment!

Brighton’s plan for Said El Mala

✅ It is TRUE: Said El Mala is interested in a move to the Premier League. He loves the league, he loves the country. It would be a good option to go to Brighton also. The Seagulls have had offers for him previously. But if he has a chance to get to a club at a higher level in the Premier League, this would also be very interesting! At this point, we have Bayern Munich at the table, who are also searching in this position. El Mala is a relatively inexpensive solution. He’s a player who could be a future Germany international, so it’s a very interesting transfer. However, I don’t think Bayern Munich will do anything crazy to try and sign the teenager. The FC Köln winger’s playing style isn’t a perfect fit for FC Bayern because he needs space. He’s very fast, which is why Bayern are keeping an eye on the situation.

The reigning Bundesliga champions currently have an agreement with FC Köln that if there is any suspicion of an offer coming from elsewhere, they’ll have the right of first refusal. Then they can discuss internally if they want to make a concrete move, with a lot of money going to FC Köln. I’m sure Said El Mala will get his transfer this summer because he’s currently far too good of a player to even be sitting on the bench at FC Köln. He’s not always in the starting-XI and that’s why he’s a little disappointed.

Lennart Karl’s contract situation

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Contract talks with Lennart Karl are officially underway. The contract is now one year longer than it was at the beginning of the season (extended to 2029). Bayern are really interested in extending this to the summer of 2031. However, at the moment, there are no talks between the club and his management. Michael Ballack, his agent (and a former Chelsea and Bayern Munich player and captain of the national side), knows all the key figures at the club, so talks could be very simple with Bayern. At the moment, Karl is earning €2m [£1.7m] a year now, which is pretty great for a 17-year-old footballer! FC Bayern are more than aware of the fact that he has so much time left in his career, so they’re happy to wait. Lennart Karl can certainly ensure he has a stronger negotiating position if he waits. So, at the moment, Bayern don’t feel there’s a pressing need to talk!

Harry Kane to Barcelona?

❌ It is NOT TRUE: Barcelona have made preliminary contact over Harry Kane’s future. These rumours have been around for weeks. Perhaps the person who started them said he made contact, and of course, it looks interesting when you’re trying to become the next president at Barcelona, and you’re saying you want to bring Kane to the club. However, Harry Kane doesn’t know anything about any contact from Barca. His brother, Charlie, who is his agent, also hasn’t had any contact from Barcelona. Likewise, his father, who’s also part of the management team, hasn’t heard anything about this. So, I don’t think this is really the truth. But I appreciate that it sounds really good from Barca’s perspective!

Ultimately, though, if this is also the first time Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s head coach, is hearing about it, then you can probably discount this rumour! They are interested in signing a striker, I should add, but they’re currently looking at Julian Alvarez at Athletico Madrid. Harry Kane sounds like a great idea, but there’s no way this transfer is going to happen.