Daily Schmankerl: Real Madrid backing away from pursuit of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies?; Kyle Walker...to Bayern?; Liverpool wants Juventus star Federico Chiesa; Manchester United could take run at FC Barcelona’s Ronald Araújo; & MORE!

Madrid walking away from Davies pursuit? (Relevo via 90Min.com)

For months (months!), Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies has been linked to Real Madrid, but the Canadian, well, has not been all that great this season.

Given that, Real Madrid might now be focused more on adding a center-back than a left-back, where the club already has solid depth:

Alphonso Davies’ potential move to Real Madrid this summer has cooled because the Spanish side are currently focused on signing a new center-back. The current plan is to sign the Bayern Munich left-back on a free transfer next year.

Bayern back in on Walker? (Goal)

File this under the category of truly bizarre transfer rumors — Bayern Munich is reportedly interested in Manchester City defender Kyle Walker:

A move to Germany appeared to be on the cards for the 33-year-old full-back in the summer of 2023. Bayern made a serious play for Walker’s signature, only to see him commit to a new contract at the Etihad Stadium through to 2026.

Despite that deal being in place, Bayern are ready to make another approach. Walker has captained City when Kevin De Bruyne has been unavailable this season and continues to catch the eye with his positioning and pace.

The Daily Star reports that Walker will be presented with another opportunity to leave his homeland and join former Tottenham teammates Kane and Eric Dier at the Allianz Arena in the next transfer window. A new challenge may appeal after seven years at City that have delivered five Premier League titles, two FA Cup, four League Cup triumphs and a Champions League win.

It is suggested that Jamal Musiala may have a part to play in any talks between Bayern and City, with the reigning champions of England making it clear that they are keen on the 21-year-old Germany international playmaker – meaning that Walker could be used as a sweetener in any discussions there.

Of course, the rumor took an absurd twist by saying Jamal Musiala might have to be included to make a deal happen.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 6, Episode 42 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich are about to face Real Madrid in their first Champions League semi-final since 2020. However, that’s not what everyone is talking about. Uli Hoeneß made some inflammatory comments about Thomas Tuchel in the German media and the coach decided to respond in kind. This sort of row is nothing new at the club, but the timing does threaten to derail the club’s most promising CL campaign in years. Is the toxicity at FC Hollywood going too far?

In this episode, INNN and Samrin discuss the following:

• Why did Uli Hoeneß say what he did?
• How this stunt will be seen by coaches and clubs across Europe.
• Uli being Uli — is it time for him to change?
• Why Bayern Munich seem to be having such a hard time finding a new coach.
• Misgivings about hiring Ralf Rangnick.
• How the controversy and the coaching situation could affect the Real Madrid game.
• How will Thomas Tuchel choose to tackle Madrid? What are his options?

Blind hopes for Bayern UCL win (Sky Sport via @iMiaSanMia)

Daley Blind had a rather brief and uneventful time at Bayern Munich (the timing of his move coincided with things unraveling soon thereafter), but the Dutchman did enjoy his time in Bavaria and hopes that the team can win the Champions League crown.

“I hope they win. Of course … to save the season. I think it’s difficult to beat Leverkusen with so many points ahead. But they still have to believe like last year. Everything can happen on the last day. I follow them and Matthijs very closely,” Blind said.

LFC sees Chiesa as Salah replacement (Tuttosport via 90Min.com)

Liverpool FC could be scoping out Juventus Federico Chiesa as a potential replacement for Mo Salah:

Liverpool are eyeing a move for Juventus’ Federico Chiesa as they prepare for life without Mohamed Salah.

Chiesa has been linked to Liverpool since last summer. At one point, Bayern Munich was also rumored to have interest in the Italian attacker, but the Bavarians likely will not add another wing without shedding at least one from the current roster.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Bayern Munich 2-1 Eintracht Frankfurt (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich played well in patches as they defeated sixth placed Eintracht Frankfurt, 2-1. These are some of the topics we discuss in this podcast:

• Bayern’s good start and Konrad Laimer’s role in the opening goal
• How many goals has Harry Kane scored from the penalty spot? (Less than we thought)
• Eintracht Frankfurt’s problems this season and whether sixth is justified for them
• Why today wasn’t the worst day for Frankfurt despite the end result
• A few thoughts on Bayern’s overall performance
• A quick look forward to the Real Madrid game including who might start (and who will not)
• Harry Kane’s chase for Robert Lewandowski’s record
• A look at the rest of the results in the Bundesliga so far this season.

United could make play for Araújo (SPORT via 90Min.com)

Manchester United could swoop in and make a run at alleged Bayern Munich transfer target Ronald Araújo:

Manchester United are interested in signing Barcelona center-back Ronald Araújo, who is expected to be available for transfer this summer.

Hamann says replacing Klopp won’t be easy at LFC (Free Bets)

Arne Slot is rumored to be taking over for Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool, but Didi Hamann cautions that it will not be all that easy.

“Obviously, it would be great to bring somebody in who gives these young players a chance, which Klopp played mostly in the cup competitions, but also in the league. It would be a shame if somebody comes in who has the attitude of, ‘I’m not really one for developing players because they’ve got so many good youngsters here’,” Hamann told Free Bets. “So, I think that’s something to take into account, to bring somebody in who uses these young players, because they probably have got one of the best crop of young players at Liverpool, so you’ve got to use them.

“They have to get it right with the selection because big managers have gone to big clubs and they left after six months. It’s never a guarantee of success. At some stage you just have to commit and say this is our man and we’re sticking by him to do the job for us.”

Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Warm-up Show Season 3, Episode 42 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich fans...the future is now!

Or soon...or maybe a little later...but either way, the club does appear to be well on its way to hiring its next coach — Ralf Rangnick, a name that was not necessarily at the forefront of anyone’s mind just a few weeks ago.

With all of that going on, let’s get to it and discuss what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• Rangnick to Bayern Munich...how are we feeling about that (if it goes down)?
• It is still a little odd that Hansi Flick never made it into serious consideration.
• Is there any truth to the rumors that Rangnick is a short-term solution until Jürgen Klopp (or maybe even Xabi Alonso) becomes available.
• Should fans believe the Frenkie de Jong rumors this time around?
• After the Eintracht Frankfurt game, it is time to switch quickly into “Real Madrid Mode.”

Kane recognized for effort vs. Eintracht (kicker via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich star Harry Kane was named to kicker’s Bundesliga Team of the Week:

Van Dijk to BVB? (Daily Mirror via 90Min.com)

Could Borussia Dortmund make a play for Liverpool FC defender Virgil van Djik? It seems thoroughly unlikely, but here you go:

Incoming Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is keen to secure the future of legendary defender Virgil van Dijk, who is being eyed by Champions League semi-finalists Borussia Dortmund.