Weekend Warm-up: We might know the numbers for Bayern Munich to re-up Alphonso Davies…would you do it?; Bundesliga and Champions League predictions; Throwing it back to Pearl Jam; and MORE!

According to a report from Sport Bild journalist Christian Falk, it might take a total package of up to €95 million for Bayern Munich to re-sign Alphonso Davies on a five-year deal.

Falk post the information below on X:

✅ Manchester United have asked Alphonso Davies (24) and his Manager for a Meeting in January

❇️ Davies is a free Agent in Summer and he can then negotiate and sign with another club from January 1st

❇️ Bayern have not yet accepted the demand of €16 million salary per year and €15 million signing fee

Obviously, a four-year deal would knock it down €16 million, but at 24-years-old, it would make sense for the Bavarians to propose a five-year contract.

On Thursday, it was report by Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg that Davies was willing to make “significant concessions” to extend his contract with Bayern Munich. If Falk’s numbers represent the concessions, what kind of crazy cash was Davies really asking for? Regardless, it now seems like everyone’s cards are on the table and it is getting close to decision time.

At first glance, €16 million per season, plus a €15 million in a signing bonus seems like a lot for a left-back, but…Davies might really be worth it.

Under Vincent Kompany, Davies has regained that vigor that he had as a young player under Hansi Flick. Perhaps a loss of focus under Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel set Davies back, but now he seems to be rising back to the level he achieved under Flick. That player — with that lofty ceiling — is one to build with, rather than one to let walk away (nor drive away at this point either).

Just a week ago, we were fretting an immature and unprofessional drinking-and-driving incident that involved police. Now, we are debating whether or not to spend close to €100 million on the Canadian for the next five years.

Yup…life comes at you quick.

In the end, would you re-up Davies for five years and a total package of €95 million?

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show: Season 4, Episode 21

Bayern Munich is winding down the Hinrunde and things are surprisingly busy both on and off the field.

While Vincent Kompany has some work to do to get the team back on track, the front office could be setting the table for a squad overhaul for next summer. Let’s not waste any more time and get right down to discussing all of it on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg says that there has been a lot of progress in talks between Bayern Munich and Alphonso Davies. Could it be possible that — after ALL of the Real Madrid talk — the Canadian stays in Bavaria?
• Hoffenheim’s Tom Bischof has been linked to Bayern Munich and is available on a free transfer in the summer of 2025. Should Bayern Munich strike while the iron is hot for the precocious 19-year-old?
• Let’s check in on how we are feeling about the Bayern Munich wingers.
• A brief Entertainment Rundown.

Song of the Week: “Corduroy” by Pearl Jam

Admittedly, I’ve been back on a Pearl Jam kick of late and after years of pushing this song (thanks to heavy radio rotation in Philly), I randomly heard the song and immediately fell back into 1994.

Pearl Jam’s album release sequence of Ten, Vs., Vitalogy, No Code, Yield, and Binaural was pretty incredible. If you were in college in the 90s, you know what I’m talking about. If you are a young person, then go back and listen to those full albums in that order.

Anyway, when I first fired up this CD, “Corduroy” was the standout song of the album to me. Hopefully you’ll come away as blown away as I was at the time. Enjoy:

Entertainment Rundown

I have not mustered the time or energy to start a new series or a new season of a show, but I did indulge in a couple of movies…

Deadpool & Wolverine

Admittedly, I am a sucker for the Deadpool movies. I think they’re witty and well-written, and the stories (for the most part) are fun to follow. These movies were sort of a lifetime achievement award for Ryan Reynolds, who likely had this exact team-up in mind from the first minute he put on the Deadpool suit.

In general, I am not a fan of the “multiverse” concept and often struggle with the built-in plot armor that it provides, but I was willing to let my guard down for this one…and I was not disappointed.

Sure, the story was a little ludicrous and it was mashed together, but I found it funny (in that Deadpool kind of way) and loved how the two characters interacted. The part of the multiverse I did enjoy was the resurrection of some characters we had not seen in a while from the world of Marvel.

This will not be for everyone, and I am sure that there are loud detractors to this flick (and Deadpool in general), but I did enjoy. Did it live up to the hype? In terms of plot, no. In terms of entertainment value and by-play between characters? Absolutely.

Rating: 8.00/10.00

Watchmen — Chapter 1

Let me get this out of the way:

• I did not read the legendary graphic novel.
• I did see the live action movie from 2009.
• I did not watch the HBO spin-off series.

This movie was not a spin-off, nor anything new. Simply put, it was an animated version of the graphic novel, which — I would guess — was put together to make up for what some consider to be a failure of a live action version. I actually liked the live-action, particularly because the casting was on-point for so many characters. It was not perfect, nor is it necessarily a favorite of mine, but it was a solid flick.

Watchmen — Chapter 1 was a quick watch (it shows approximately half of the live action movie…Chapter 2 was just released) and it told the story in a more succinct way. It will not be for everyone, but if you had ever thought about checking out Watchmen, this might be a solid and less time-intensive way to give it a run.

I will say, I found the drifting sequences into the Black Freighter comic a bit…overdone, but that is a minor criticism.

Rating: 7.25/10.00

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.

Predictions

Bundesliga

Even without Harry Kane, Bayern Munich should be able to put up a crooked number on Heidenheim. Sure, most of the focus for this match will actually be on how Paul Wanner performs for the visitors, but Bayern Munich does have to prove that it can create and finish its chances. This should be a good opportunity for Kane’s supporting cast (aside of Jamal Musiala) to show that they still have some goal scoring chops.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-0 Heidenheim

Other Bundesliga Predictions:

• VfB Stuttgart 1-0 Union Berlin
• Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 St. Pauli
• VfL Bochum 0-1 Werder Bremen
• Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 FC Augsburg
• Holstein Kiel 1-4 RB Leipzig
• Borussia Mönchengladbach 1-3 Borussia Dortmund
• VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 Mainz 05
• Hoffenheim 2-2 SC Freiburg

Champions League

If Bayern Munich struggles in this match, then there will be a legitimate cause for concern.

Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 0-4 Bayern Munich

Other Champions League predictions include:

Prediction Records

• Last Week Bundesliga: 3-6 (Through Matchday 12)
• Overall Bundesliga: 48-59
• UEFA Nations League: 81-66
• Champions League: 48-42 (Through Matchday 5)
• DFB-Pokal: 40-16 (Through Round of 16)
• Total: 217-183
• Perfect Picks: 38 (when the score and winner is predicted exactly)