Daily Schmankerl: The latest on Bayern Munich’s pursuits of Xavi Simons and Désiré Doué; Liverpool wants Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Andriy Lunin; Juventus eager to offload Federico Chiesa; FC Barcelona leading on Dani Olmo?; and MORE!

Bayern Munich has spent the majority of the summer being linked to Paris Saint-Germain attacker Xavi Simons and Rennes winger Désiré Doué.

Both pursuits are in major jeopardy (Simons looks like he is headed back to RB Leipzig on loan, while PSG is the frontrunner to land Doué), but Sport Bild’s Christian Falk gave an update in his Fact Files column for CaughtOffside:

Désiré Doué and Xavi Simons’ situations are somewhat connected as far as Bayern Munich’s transfer window is concerned. In the case of Simons, it’s a neck-and-neck race between Bayern and Leipzig. One day it’s said that Leipzig is ahead. The next day Bayern believe they are leading the race. The fact is: the deal is easier for Leipzig to make with Simon’s club, PSG, because they are only looking for a loan. Bayern want at least an option to buy.

The fact that FC Bayern are taking Leipzig’s chances very seriously is shown by the fact that they are bidding heavily for Doué. One thing is clear for Bayern: the question is: Simons or Doué? The club will not sign both players. They have to decide: There only can be one!

For the Bavarians, there is a distinct chance that it could miss on both players, which might not be the worst thing in the world at this point.

Liverpool FC could be making a play for Real Madrid phenom Arda Güler:

Liverpool have enquired about the availability of Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler and are now preparing to make a formal bid.

The Vincent Kompany Era is underway and fans got their first game day taste of what Bayern Munich might be when the squad dismantled FC Rottach-Egern 14-1.

Even that beatdown did not calm some of the uneasiness that fans have been feeling about how things are progressing during this offseason. So, let’s talk about that and a lot more on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show. This is what we have on tap:

• Bayern Munich never really had a shot with Xavi Simons — and what that tells us about Max Eberl.
• It’s okay to be caught somewhere between uneasy and excited about the team at the moment.
• At this stage, there might not be any difference making transfers that will help the team this season.
• Takes on House of the Dragon and Cobra Kai…and a few other random thoughts.

Hoffenheim could be competing with Mainz 05 for Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg, but the Reds want a hefty amount for the 22-year-old Dutchman:

Excl. | TSG Hoffenheim have entered the race for Sepp van den Berg!

22 y/o central defender wants to leave Liverpool this transfer window as reported.

Talks between Hoffenheim and the player’s side have taken place. No talks with #LFC yet.

Mainz 05, still there but Liverpool demand €20m now.

More than ever, it sounds like Federico Chiesa needs to leave Juventus:

If Bayern Munich misses out on PSG’s Xavi Simons, Rennes’ Désiré Doué, and RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo, could the Bavarians rekindle their old flame with Chiesa?

Bayern Munich’s training camp is well underway and things are starting to develop before the full squad has even arrived.

Whispers are emerging that some players might be in trouble — and could get some help in being convinced that they need to move on. That’s a hot topic as-is, but there is plenty more to chat about as well, so let’s get to it:

• Recent reports indicate that Vincent Kompany could use the preseason to help thin out the roster by making it clear that some players will not have a role on his squad. Who might those players be? Is this the right way to handle it? What does this say about Bayern Munich as a whole and how the perception of Bayern could change among fans and players alike.
• Bayern Munich might miss out on both Xavi Simons and Désiré Doué — and here’s why.
• Bayern Munich might be shooting itself in the foot by playing hardball with Manchester United over Matthijs de Ligt.
• Everyone should be rooting for Niklas Süle to get fully back into form (even if he is a Borussia Dortmund player).

FC Barcelona is lining up its moves and it appears that Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo are the prizes:

Liverpool FC could have its eyes on Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin:

Real Madrid are expecting to part ways with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, with Liverpool keen to sign the shot stopper. The Ukrainian could become Arne Slot’s first signing.