Bundesliga

Bayern Munich may not be competitive enough to help Manuel Neuer win the UEFA Champions League again, according to the goalkeeper's agent.

Thomas Kroth, who represents Neuer, spoke to Suddeutsche Zeitung (h/t Joe Brophy of The Sun) and raised doubts about his client's future at the Allianz Arena:

"He wants to win Euro 2020 and he wants to win the Champions League again. Manuel is success-oriented. My impression is that the gap to the top four English top teams is already serious and the Munich squad is currently not yet as competitive or set up to tackle Manuel's goals seriously.

"When he realises that Bayern are responding, then he will probably blossom again. He does not want to retire in 2021. Now he is in the phase in which he has to decide: how will things progress in the future?

"Signing a contract extension and ending his career at Bayern is of course the obvious option, but it's not the only one."

Concerns about the gap in quality between Bayern and the elite clubs of the Premier League is well-founded. Liverpool won this season's UEFA Champions League after beating fellow top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-0, 12 months on from the Reds losing the 2018 final to Real Madrid.

While the megarich of England's top flight have begun dominating Europe's premier club competition, Bayern have regressed. Neuer was part of an exceptional team that took home the trophy in 2013, but Die Roten haven't gotten past the last four since.

This season saw Bayern dispatched by Liverpool on home soil in the round of 16. Neuer played in the second leg on German soil, but the 3-1 defeat showed the gap growing while Premier League clubs continue to enjoy the benefits of a lucrative television deal.

However, Bayern remain a force, particularly domestically. The club completed a double of Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal on Niko Kovac's watch in 2019.

Yet for all the ongoing success at home, Bayern face a rebuild after the exits of established stars, a process that may yet include Neuer. Wing wizards Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have moved on, while centre-back Mats Hummels has returned to Borussia Dortmund and James Rodriguez is back at Real Madrid after a lengthy loan spell.

Bayern are now left relying on younger stars to underpin a new era, including 23-year-old former Arsenal forward Serge Gnabry.

Even if Bayern are getting younger, 33-year-old Neuer remains a key figure. The agile stopper has battled injuries in recent seasons, but his experience and comfort on the ball mean he's still more effective than most at his position.

It doesn't mean Bayern aren't planning for life after Neuer, though. Links to Shalke 04's Alexander Nubel have emerged, per Goal and SPOX (h/t Goal's Martin Volkmar).

While Neuer may not be convinced Bayern are doing enough to close the gap to the best in the Champions League, it could be a dangerous time to threaten an exit. Die Roten have shown they are ready to refresh, a willingness that may encourage Kovac and Co. to move on a linchpin of their last major success in Europe ahead of schedule.

Former Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery has urged the club to make a move for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane this summer.

Ribery and fellow winger Arjen Robben both left the Bundesliga champions at the end of last season, leaving the club with fewer options on the flanks heading into next season.

He told Sport Bild's Tobias Altschaffl (h/t Goal's Chloe Beresford) that Bayern need to "invest and upgrade" and added: 

"With only Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman it is perhaps not enough to go into the new season. Both are good players, but constantly playing a top-level season is a new challenge—especially as both have always had problems with injuries. Bayern needs more wingers."

He also identified Sane as "a player who could help Bayern to move forward" and said: "He's skilful, can play on the right and left side, and I'm curious to see if he will really fancies the Bundesliga and will opt for Munich."

Bayern's current players have also rolled out the welcome mat for Sane this summer, as Goal's Sam Lee shared:

Ronan Murphy of the same outlet believes Bayern should go all out to land his signature:

Sane contributed 16 goals and 18 assists for City in all competitions last season. That's more than Coman (10 and seven) or Gnabry (13 and nine) managed for Bayern—though in the former's defence, he only made 30 appearances to the latter's 42 or Sane's 47 because of injury.

Alphonso Davies will also be an option for Bayern next season, but he's only 18 and has spent most of his fledgling senior career playing in MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps rather than in the Bundesliga.

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The Man City player is more productive in front of goal than either Coman or Gnabry, so it's clear he'd be a fine addition if Bayern can sign him.

Robben and Ribery are a tough act to follow, but having the three of them plus Davies would give them some strong wide options next season.  

Toni Kroos has said Bayern Munich made a mistake selling him in 2014 and hinted he could retire when his Real Madrid contract expires in 2023. 

Kroos, 29, won three Bundesliga titles and the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League before moving to Real, where he has won the Champions League three more times and a La Liga title.

Bayern president Uli Hoeness recently said the decision to let the midfielder go was "maybe the wrong one," per Robert O'Connor of Goal.

Per Sport Bild (h/t Goal's Jack McGraghan), Kroos has now praised Hoeness for his admission:

"For me, it was already clear at the time of the transfer that Bayern made a mistake with my sale. It's true that [Bayern president] Uli Hoeness has made it public of late—and it's a testament to his greatness that he addresses it that way. If that was one of the reasons Pep [Guardiola] left Munich, he has to answer that, but I cannot confirm that he did not like my sale."

A 92-time Germany international, Kroos was part of the side that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup the summer he moved to Real.

Since then he has only further established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world and played a key role in Real's three consecutive European triumphs.

Los Blancos endured a comedown last season as they failed to compete for La Liga and were knocked out the Champions League at the last-16 stage by Ajax.

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They were given a boost at the end of the season, though, when Kroos put pen to paper on a four-year contract extension.

Kroos said he signed on until 2023 as he feels that may be a good time to retire, and he also ruled out playing MLS in the future, or in China or Qatar, per Sport Bild (h/t McGraghan):

"I deliberately chose the end of the term in 2023. Thirty-three could be a good age to retire, but then I also have the opportunity to decide whether or not to do something else. I can already rule out playing in the U.S., China or Qatar."

Kroos will again have a crucial role to play next season when Real will aim to get back to the top of La Liga and contend for the Champions League once again.

He will be part of a new-look side under Zinedine Zidane that will include summer signings Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic, while Paul Pogba remains a possible addition:

The 2019-20 La Liga campaign is scheduled to kick off on August 18. 

Jamaica face Curacao in their final group-stage fixture at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Tuesday.

El Salvador sit level on four points with the Reggae Boyz in Group C entering Matchday 3, and they take on eliminated Honduras while hoping to round off an unbeaten pool campaign.

Jamaica will qualify for the quarter-finals as long as they avoid defeat against Curacao, who beat Honduras 1-0 on Friday to collect their first win in the tournament. Curacao can still qualify for the knockout stages, but they must not lose and will need some help from Honduras.

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La Bicolor can no longer advance to the next round of the competition, but a win of two goals or more over El Salvador in their farewell fixture could still prevent their opponents from qualifying.

Tuesday Schedule, Predictions, TV Info

Jamaica 3-1 Curacao, 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. BST (Wed. June 26), FS1 (U.S.), FreeSports (UK)

Honduras 1-1 El Salvador, 10 p.m. ET/3 a.m. BST (Wed. June 26), FS1 (U.S.), FreeSports (UK)

Live Stream

Audiences in the United States can live-stream matches using one of several services: Fox Sports Go, fuboTV, Univision Deportes en Vivo or Univision Now. 

Odds

Jamaica (8-13), Draw (1-3), Curacao (11-2)

Honduras (21-10), Draw (11-5), El Salvador (6-4)

Via Oddschecker.com

Preview

Jamaica have again shown promise in the Gold Cup after finishing as runners-up in the past two tournaments, with forward Leon Bailey impressing in his first couple of appearances.

After debating his international allegiance, Bailey committed to Jamaica in May and had an almost instant effect, assisting Dever Orgill for a goal in their opening 3-2 win over Honduras, via Fox Soccer (U.S. only):

The Bayer Leverkusen speedster posted a message of unity following that debut victory:

Jamaica couldn't find the target in their 0-0 stalemate against El Salvador on Friday. They're level with El Salvador on points and goal difference ahead of Matchday 3, meaning it's also in their best interest to try to build a healthy goal margin.

Curacao made their Gold Cup debut in their current form in 2017—they played as Netherlands Antilles from 1946 to 2011—and were knocked out of the group stage without scoring a goal.

Cardiff City midfielder Leandro Bacuna ended that goal drought with the only strike in their win over Honduras, but coach Remko Bicentini will hope their account doesn't end there: 

El Salvador are still yet to concede a goal at this year's competition but have also scored only one themselves. Honduras have leaked four in two matches but managed to score twice against Jamaica, something no other team has achieved.

Manager Carlos de los Cobos has led El Salvador through a run including just three defeats in their past 14 matches, two of which came against Brazil and Japan.

The winner of Group C will face the runner-up in Group D—either the United States or Panama—and vice-versa in the next round.

Borussia Dortmund have announced the return of Mats Hummels from Bayern Munich.

BVB tweeted Hummels' return on Wednesday:

Hummels left Dortmund for Bayern in 2016.

Goal's Ronan Murphy relayed the details of his return:

The centre-back began his career at Bayern but left for Dortmund after making just two senior appearances.

He had plenty of success with BVB, too:

He returned to Bayern as a top-class defender and helped them win three consecutive Bundesliga titles.

His form has dropped a little of late, though. He made just 21 league appearances last season, and Bayern have recruited Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard, both of whom can play centre-back, this summer.

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Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe believes Hummels could still be a strong addition back at Dortmund:

The 30-year-old World Cup winner is a leader and has an enormous amount of experience, which will be valuable qualities in a young side.

BVB finished second to Bayern by just two points, but they shipped 44 goals to Bayern's 32, so the defence was clearly an area in need of improvement.

As football writer Jonathan Harding noted, not all the fans will be best pleased by his return, though:

If his added defensive quality can help the team beat Bayern to the title next season, it's likely all would be forgiven on that front.

Winning the title will be a challenge, but Hummels' arrival should strengthen their chances of doing so.

Leon Goretzka has said Bayern Munich players would be "ecstatic" if the club were able to pull off the transfer of Leroy Sane from Manchester City.

Having fallen out of favour late in the campaign at City, there has been speculation the winger may move this summer. Sane has just two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad Stadium, and Bayern have been linked with the player. Speaking to Bild (h/t Goal), Goretzka has said he would understand if his fellow Germany international wanted to move to Munich:

"Leroy knows that Munich is a very beautiful city. No one has to make it very palatable to him. He knows that he can always ask me if he needs advice or wants to hear my opinion.

"...One thing is clear: we would all be ecstatic if he comes. But I'll be damned if I put him under pressure or influence his opinion. I had a similar situation last year, had to make the decision for myself. And I was also of the opinion that one should do that best alone."

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As relayed by Sport Witness, a number of figures associated with the Bundesliga club have spoken openly about the City starlet:

Goretzka joined Bayern from Schalke on a free transfer last summer. While the team enjoyed domestic success last season—winning the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal—in the UEFA Champions League they were beaten 3-1 on aggregate by eventual winners Liverpool.

The midfielder said they can still compete with the biggest teams on the continent and are capable of attracting players of Sane's calibre.

"It's still one of the best and biggest clubs in the world," he continued. "Leroy knows that. He's felt really good in England in the past few years. Now he has to decide for himself what the right move is."

While there is clearly interest in Sane from the German champions, Bayern president Uli Hoeness told German football magazine Kicker in early June (h/t the Evening Standard) that a deal is "unlikely" because of the "insane" money City are demanding for the 23-year-old. 

Given how productive Sane has been in the last couple of campaigns, City will feel able to ask for a massive fee:

When he's at his best, the winger can be devastating, as his searing pace and trickery makes him hard for defenders to contain. 

Last season, the German also showed he can be a major threat in set-piece situations:

It's clear City boss Pep Guardiola has an issue trusting the winger in key games, though. During the Premier League title run-in, he would often opt for Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling in the wide positions, with Sane used as an impact substitute.

Since the beginning of February, Sane was left on the bench in nine of 14 Premier League games, while he only played seven minutes across the two legs of City's Champions League quarter-final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

Guardiola has confirmed the club are working on tying Sane down to a new deal. If an extension remains unsigned at the end of next term, Bayern will have a much better chance of getting their man.

Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry said he "would love" for Manchester City's Leroy Sane to join him in Bavaria. 

Per the Mirror's Darren Lewis, Bayern are keen to recruit Sane this summer, but a transfer could cost them around £90 million (€100.8 million).

Gnabry and Sane are on international duty with Germany, and the former spoke about the possibility of his compatriot coming to Bayern:

Per Lewis, he said:

"I would say hello to him with a special handshake. I've already asked him about this topic, but he is the only one who can tell us what will happen.

"I would love to have him in my team. We get along really well, also off the pitch.

"He would help any team, and it's very fun for me to play with him. He would be a real asset for Bayern Munich."

Gnabry isn't the only Munich player to roll out the welcome mat for Sane of late.

According to Bild (h/t Sport Witness), Joshua Kimmich would also be happy for him to arrive:

Sane racked up 16 goals and 18 assists in 47 appearances for City last season, but in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League he only made a combined total of 25 starts.

In the latter, he played for just seven minutes across their two quarter-final legs with Tottenham Hotspur. In the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, he did not start either final.

It's clear the 23-year-old is capable of impressive attacking output, and he can cause defenders all manner of problems with the ball at his feet, as Squawka's Jake Entwistle observed:

He would be a strong choice for a Bayern side looking to replace both Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben this summer, and with their players doing their utmost to make him feel welcome at the Allianz Arena, they're increasing their chances of him pushing for a move.

Sane has two years remaining on his contract, though, so City are not under much pressure to sell him this summer. With that in mind, Bayern will still need to be prepared to splash out if they're going to get him in this window.

Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich believes it "would send the right message" if the club signed Leroy Sane from Manchester City.

Sane is one of the best young players in the Premier League and has played a big part in City's back-to-back top-flight title triumphs. However, late in the campaign, he lost his place in the side, with Pep Guardiola using Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling on the flanks in crucial games.

There has been speculation regarding a possible Bayern pursuit of the 23-year-old winger. Kimmich told Bild he would love to see his compatriot make the move to Munich (h/t James Westwood of Goal):

"I would like to have Leroy at Bayern. That would send the right message. He is a player who would be a good fit at Bayern. I think he is a very good player.

"He has great potential but was not allowed to play at City last season, which I cannot understand. But it is his decision and the task of those responsible to convince him. If I was in the club's position, I would certainly buy him."

Per Sport Witness, Kimmich isn't the first figure associated with Bayern to speak candidly about a possible transfer:

Speaking to Kicker (h/t Chris Burton of Goal), Bayern president Uli Hoeness confirmed there was interest in the City star but that a deal was unlikely to happen because of the demands of the Etihad Stadium outfit.

Sane has two seasons left to run on his City deal, and the club has held talks with the 23-year-old about an extension, according to James Robson of the Evening Standard. It's added they do not feel as though the former Schalke man will push for a transfer away from the club.

Still, as Bleacher Report's Dean Jones noted, there were times last season when it appeared Sane didn't have his manager's trust:

While there are occasions when the German loses the ball cheaply and lets his concentration slip, overall his influence on matches is positive.

Sane's ability to carry the ball and change direction at speed is remarkable to watch. When he rampages into dangerous areas, he is decisive too, highlighted by his 10 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League last term.

The City star also showed off his set-piece proficiency in the UEFA Champions League:

Sane has all the ability required to be a superstar, and it would be a surprise if City decided to let him go this summer.

His contract situation will be a concern, though, with Guardiola confirming the club has tried unsuccessfully to get the player tied down to a new deal. If it remains unsigned at the end of next season, City will have a big decision to make regarding one of their key assets.

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed the club will pursue Manchester City star Leroy Sane if he indicates he wants to leave.

Per Goal's Tom Storer, Bayern are keen to land the winger this summer, but City are attempting to tie him down on a new contract.

Rummenigge told Sport Bild (h/t Storer):

"We have not made an offer for Leroy Sane. It is far from that.

"First, the player has to decide if he can imagine coming to Bayern. If that's the case, then we'll go into concrete negotiations with Manchester City.

"The player is the most important factor. Apparently, Leroy has not yet decided. [Sporting director] Hasan Salihamidzic is leading the talks there.

"I think the player is exciting. Both in footballing quality and in terms of the type of player he is."

Rummenigge seems more optimistic than club president Uli Hoeness that a deal could be done, per Goal's Ronan Murphy:

Football journalist Fabrizio Romano had reported the Bundesliga side made a bid for his services:

While that appears not to be the case, it's evident they'd jump at the chance to snap him up if the opportunity arises.

Sane has two years remaining on his deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Though that would normally mean the club wouldn't have to rush to sell him if he does not sign a new contract, Goal's Sam Lee expects him to move on sooner rather than later if fresh terms are not agreed:

The German contributed 16 goals and 18 assists in all competitions as City won the domestic treble.

Bayern said goodbye to long-serving wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery at the end of the season.

While the Bundesliga champions will still be able to call on Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry and Alphonso Davies next season, the 23-year-old is more productive than any of them, and he perhaps has the most potential, too.

If Sane wants to join them, the two sides might be able to strike a deal, though if they reach an impasse on his valuation the move might need to happen next summer, when he'll have just one year remaining at City.     

James Rodriguez said he is concentrating his efforts on Colombia's Copa America campaign despite uncertainty over where he'll be playing next season. 

The playmaker's two-year loan spell with Bayern Munich has come to an end and he'll return to Real Madrid this summer, but he said he won't be thinking about his next move just yet.

"I'm in selection mode now," he said, via Marca Claro (h/t Goal's Dejan Kalinic). "I'm calm, and I just want to think about the Colombia team and later we'll see."

Real extended Rodriguez's contract prior to joining Bayern, so he has two years remaining at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Zinedine Zidane's return to the dugout casts his future in doubt at Real, as the Frenchman appeared to have little trust in James previously.

During Zidane's first season in charge, James played just seven minutes of football in the UEFA Champions League that season from the quarter-final stage onward and was not even in the squad for the final.

Per the Mirror (h/t Goal's Ronan Murphy), he may not go back to Bayern, either, but there is interest in him from the Premier League:

The 27-year-old made 65 appearances in his two seasons in Germany, scoring 15 goals and assisting 20.

He bagged a hat-trick against Mainz in this campaign:

However, he also missed 25 matches over the course of the two years due various injuries.

Rodriguez sat out several games at the end of this season with a calf injury, and football commentator Juan G. Arango observed his struggles with fitness:

He could still make a fine addition to many sides at the right price, as he's productive in the final third and his delivery into the box is excellent.

Concerns over his fitness are valid, though, and should be factored into the offers his interested are prepared to make.