All signs are pointing to Hoffenheim central midfielder Tom Bischof joining Bayern Munich this summer on a free transfer. In order for Bischof to get to this point he had to walk away from clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt and RB Leipzig.
Did he get any interest from big clubs, abroad, though? Yes, several Premier League teams wanted Bischof, including Arsenal FC, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United:
TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Tom Bischof rejected a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal as he is set to sign for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2025.
Bischof is one of the most talented young midfielders in Germany, who is capable of playing in various positions in the middle of the park.
TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford expressed an interest in signing Bischof.
The German U-18 international’s representatives heard approached from clubs in England and across Europe even before he agreed terms to sign for Bayern.
However, TBR Football understands that the prospect of playing for the German giants was too tempting for the youngster to decline.
Bischof, whose contract at Hoffenheim expires at the end of the season could now join Jamal Musiala, who held talks with Arsenal and Aleksandar Pavlovic to form a youthful midfield at the Allianz Arena.
If you want one reason to be a little cautious (not much), kicker is reporting that the agreement is not final, despite Sky Sport and Bild both confirming that the deal is done (via @iMiaSanMia_GER):
Tom Bischof’s looming move to FC Bayern Munich is not yet complete, but during the week following the Bayern game on Wednesday, Bischof informed TSG Hoffenheim of his decision not to extend his contract, which expires in the summer.
Federico Chiesa seems like he wants to stick it out at Liverpool FC:
At this stage Federico #Chiesa still has no intention of leaving Liverpool until the Deadline Day on February 3. He would like to stay at #LFC and prove himself.
The 27-year-old winger is fully focused on his goals with LFC. Contract until 2028.
The show in Germany continues.
The action on the pitch is epic and energetic, despite mainland Europe remaining cold, dark, and rainy.
Today’s episode of the Bundesliga Rundown will cover:
- Miraculous comebacks in Bochum
- Marco Rose’s inconsistency in managing an equally inconsistent team
- Dieter Hecking (and his iconic eyebrows)
- The impressive Sebastian Hoeneß and his VfB Stuttgart!
Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka and Michael Olise were named to WhoScored.com’s Bundesliga Team of the Week:
Maybe Matthijs de Ligt should have never left Ajax.
After leaving the Dutch club for Juventus, De Ligt landed at Bayern Munich, where he had a nice run, but ultimately left last summer to go to the raging dumpster fire that is Manchester United.
The center-back recently took some time to talk about the inherent pressure of playing for the club.
“It’s a really big club, an amazing club – and it’s a lot of pressure, I have to say,” said De Ligt. “I’ve played for several big clubs and the pressure is always high. But the feeling you get here is that the pressure is maybe worldwide – and it’s the most I’ve experienced so far.
“It’s not easy to handle that – particularly for young players. But I’ve had some experience of other big clubs so maybe in that sense it could be a little bit easier for me. I imagine that for other players it might be a little more difficult. That’s why it’s so important we get the crowd behind us – just to get the confidence in to all the players.”
There is something to be said for being willing to take on that kind of pressure, but the team is, well, pretty horrible. For De Ligt’s sake, hopefully the squad experiences a change of luck.
Bayern Munich is in a hellacious stretch here, but we have you covered with everything. Check out what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show hosted by Chuck and Jack:
- Some final thoughts on Bayern Munich’s win over Wolfsburg.
- Is Max Eberl punching walls and slamming tables every time Leon Goretzka puts in a good performance? Or…is Vincent Kompany bailing Eberl out by giving Goretzka this kind of opportunity.
- The Alphonso Davies contract situation has been a wild story to follow. Where do things stand? Has Bayern Munich gone too far with its salary package to secure the deal?
- Jamal Musiala has — allegedly — gotten the release clause that he wants. Is that a bad precedent to set?
- Will Musiala have the allure of Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to other players?
- How important is it to keep Joshua Kimmich? Is he doing his due diligence or running Bayern Munich through the ringer because he is a maniac?
Didi Hamann thinks Liverpool FC’s Mo Salah would look great playing at wing next to Bayern munich star Harry Kane.
“Mohamed Salah has been thriving under that pressure for the last 10 years. He’s been scoring goals, he’s been creating goals. I think he’ll be a success wherever he goes,” said Hamann.
“I don’t think there’s any league where he wouldn’t be a success. Obviously his age comes into it, but the way he’s performed and how fit he is, I think he’s got at least another couple of years at the highest level. If he went to Bayern Munich he would continue being such a success like he has at Liverpool, but they might be one of 10 teams on his doorstep if he does announce that he is leaving.
“Harry Kane likes to play with quick wingers like he does at the moment with Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sané and Michael Olise – he’d jump at the chance to play alongside Mohamed Salah. Salah in the Bayern squad would give Kane a better chance to win trophies and it could make for a great partnership if that happened.”
Out of favor Manchester united attacker Antony is on his way to Real Betis:
⚪️ Antony to Real Betis, here we go! Verbal agreement in place between all parties with Man United too.
Documents being checked; then time for travel and medical tests.
United will let him leave on loan deal with buy clause. He’ll be formally back to United in June. pic.twitter.com/2Bywbzdxvj
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 20, 2025
Bayern Munich faced off with a game and very tough Wolfsburg side in a Bundesliga match that showed us a lot about both teams.
Bayern Munich ultimately won a tense 3-2 match behind a spectacular effort from Leon Goretzka (!?), but the match also did leave a lot to discuss. Let’s talk about how it all went down and more on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. This is what we have on tap:
- A look at the starting XI and what was surprising — really surprising.
- A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
- Bayern Munich came out on a mission and just overwhelmed a good Wolfsburg side. The Wolves, however, are for real.
- Leon Goretzka might be going on a Jay and Silent Bob-like crusade against internet commenters.
- Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.
Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham are both interested in FC Barcelona attacker Ansu Fati:
Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham hold an interest in Barcelona winger Ansu Fati, who previously spent time on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Borussia Dortmund is serious about bringing in Manchester United attacker Marcus Rashford on loan:
⚫️ Borussia Dortmund now in direct contact with Manchester United about a loan deal for Marcus #Rashford.
However, there are still doubts, as the financial package for six months would amount to at least €8-10m (salary, fees, etc.), which is also causing the transfer to AC Milan to stall. Additionally, there are some internal concerns within #BVB, as Rashford plays in the same position as Jamie Gittens.
While Dortmund and Milan remain very interested, it cannot be ruled out that Rashford will stay at Manchester United this winter. #MUFC
Bayern Munich is fresh off a 5-0 stomping of Hoffenheim, but the club could be facing bigger battles in the boardroom than on the pitch these days.
Let’s talk about it all. This is what we have on tap for this episode of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- Here comes the winger surge — and how about Mathys Tel making some progress?
- Let’s talk about Bayern Munich’s rumored signing of Tom Bischof. What it means, what about the timing, and how likely is it that the deal is already fully done?
- Is Jonas Urbig the next one? Bayern Munich might have its limits in how good it feels about the FC Köln goalkeeper.
- What’s going on with Alphonso Davies?
- Should we make anything out of the Ousmane Diomande rumors?
