Daily Schmankerl: Manchester United eyeing three Bayern Munich players; FC Barcelona playing long game with winger target; Sacha Boey not thinking of Bayern exit; Inter Milan to make swoop for Liverpool’s Mo Salah as PSG won’t pursue; and MORE!

According to Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg, Manchester United has interest in three Bayern Munich players — Alphonso Davies, Leon Goretzka, and Konrad Laimer:

Alphonso Davies and Leon Goretzka are on Manchester United’s list. Konrad Laimer also finds United exciting because of his counter-pressing, his speed and his aggressiveness. However, nothing has progressed yet.

We had heard about Manchester United’s concrete interest in Davies, but the Goretzka links have always been speculative. As for Laimer, that kind of system would be perfect for him.

Is it possible that all three players leave in the summer of 2025? Sure, but Davies, who has been very closely linked to Real Madrid, is rumored to be considering an extension with Bayern Munich. Given the roster direction that Max Eberl and Christoph Freund seem to be plotting, Goretzka and Laimer could absolutely move on in July.

Laimer, though, could be reluctant to leave Bavaria. Stretty News captured a report from Bild which indicates the Austrian might want to see his contract out with Bayern Munich (at least for now):

However, Laimer is said to be happy at Bayern, despite his relative lack of playing time this season. The source insists the player feels comfortable in Germany, and doesn’t sense the urge to leave the Bavarian giants, at least not at this stage.

The Austria international has a contract with Die Roten that runs until the summer of 2027.

FC Barcelona still has interest in Athletic Club winger Nico Williams:

Barcelona remain interested in a move for Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, according to Sport. The club are reported to still be in contact with the representatives of the 22-year-old Spain international, but it is said that they will only make a formal approach for his signature if he makes his intentions of leaving his current side clear, with the Blaugrana keen to avoid a lengthy transfer saga. Williams registered the assist in the 1-0 league victory over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Bayern Munich was riding high until last weekend when a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund set the stage for a big midweek showdown with Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal.

Unfortunately, an early red card to Manuel Neuer helped set up a 1-0 loss to Die Werkself and Bayern Munich must now regroup for a weekend contest with Heidenheim. So, let’s get to it and discuss all of that and more on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show. This is what we have on tap:

• Can Bayern Munich pick itself up after a tough loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal?
• A look at the recent form of each team and where they fall in the Bundesliga table.
• A look at the rosters and injuries for Heidenheim and Bayern Munich.
• A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI…will there be any rotation?
• A prediction on the match.

Sacha Boey’s tenure at Bayern Munich has been odd to say the least. Marred by injuries, the Frenchman has barely had a chance to make an impression and will likely have to engage in a battle for the starting right-back job with Josip Stanišić in January.

Some have speculated that Boey might want more of a guarantee for additional playing time and could explore a transfer. That does not seem to be the case, per L’Equipe:

Olympique Marseille are looking for a right-back and have enquired about Sacha Boey with a view to a potential January move.

The player’s agent Bembi Vungbote had played down January links telling @FabrizioRomano: “Sacha Boey is very happy at Bayern. He loves the club, and the coach trusts him. His goal is to win everything with Bayern.”

Foot Mercato’s Sébastien Denis (via @iMiaSanMia) issued some additional insight:

Olympique Marseille have been following Sacha Boey for a while and have enquired about his situation in Munich. However, the Frenchman has no intention of leaving Bayern, especially not mid-season. Boey believes in his chances and wants to establish himself at Bayern. He’s appreciated by Vincent Kompany and by the club.

It seems like Mo Salah is going to re-up with Liverpool FC, but Inter Milan might like to toss an offer his way:

Inter have joined the race to sign Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah on a free transfer next summer and are prepared to sell Marko Arnautovic, Mehdi Taremi and Joaquin Correa to make sufficient room in their wage budget.

Bayern Munich hosted Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal in a knockout match that felt way too early for these two powerhouses.

Ultimately, Manuel Neuer picked up an early red card, which put Bayern Munich at a massive disadvantage for the match — allowing Bayer Leverkusen to escape with a 1-0 victory.

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 why it was very curious to see Thomas Müller, Serge Gnabry, or Mathys Tel all on the bench to start.
• A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
• We have no idea what Neuer was thinking…do you? That might have been the most bizarre decision of his career.
• Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match.

If you have been following MLS over the past few years, you would know Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner, who has been one of the league’s best players since arriving in 2019. Now, the German is receiving some international interest from Burnley and Coventry:

Manchester United is among the many clubs interested in Napoli attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia:

Manchester United have a serious interest in Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, SportMediaset reports. The 23-year-old has a contract that runs until 2027, but so far there is no agreement over a new deal between him and Napoli. United see Kvaratskhelia as an ideal player to fit into new manager Ruben Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 formation, and are willing to offer him a five-year contract worth at least €8m a year. The Georgia international has scored five goals in 13 league appearances this season, helping Antonio Conte’s side to lead Serie A.

Matchday 12 in the Bundesliga might have been the best one we’ve seen so far.

We witnessed Der Klassiker between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig suffering a 5-1 loss at home to Wolfsburg, and Eintracht Frankfurt continuing their impressive form in style.

This episode will cover:

• Der Klassiker at the Westfalenstadion and why Bayern Munich might be missing Robert Lewandowski.
• What’s happening at Leipzig? Is Marco Rose’s dismissal inevitable?
• The Bundesliga legend that is Christian Streich.
• The funniest moment of the week: Miroslav Klose witnessing two missed penalties and a last-minute own goal from one of his players.

Despite reports to the contrary, Paris Saint-Germain boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi says his club is not pursuing Liverpool FC star Mo Salah: