With Bayern Munich flailing in a truly humiliating position – nine points off the top of the table – club suits are beginning to fear they could fall as far as Manchester United. Manager Niko Kovac is said to be on ice so thin it could melt upon contact with supporters, who are in a hot funk. And there’s talk that Bayern have drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements. Originally, the list included two Frenchman, but Zinedine Zidane has apparently let it be known he has no interest in the gig so that now it includes just two words: Arsène Wenger.
The former Arsenal manager may have been out of competitive football for a while – at least 10 years, some would say – but something about him reminds Bayern of the time when they used to smash teams 5-1 on a regular basis. They can’t quite put their finger on what that might be but they’re minded to move fast, because Wenger is also being linked, as ever, with some hifalutin’ football director-type role at PSG.
Another Frenchman said to be in demand – just before meeting Manchester City, funnily enough – is Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombélé, reputedly a target for Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and, yes, Manchester City. But life at City may not be all it’s cracked up to be. Not for Brahim Diaz, at least. The 19-year-old has so far resisted offers to pledge his future to the club and is now being linked with a move to Real Madrid when his contract expires next summer.
Manchester United, meanwhile, plan to continue throwing money at their problems. There’s chat about a £50m move for Marko Arnautovic – because most of United’s other forwards are too flaky, apparently – and also of a swoop for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel.
Liverpool are also lurking around Dortmund, who have intimated they can have Christian Pusilic in January if they loan him back until the end of the season. Oh, and stump up around £75m. Milan are not interested in 32-year-old Gary Cahill but very keen on 37-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That’s as clear a case of justified double-standards as you’re likely to come across.
Finally, someone, namely Internazionale, is interested in Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala.
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