The Bayern Insider: Bayern set for internal talks after Nico Williams contract extension

Welcome to today’s exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Rafael Leão, and Marcus Rashford.

Today’s top stories

• Bayern left with Luis Diaz transfer question marks after Liverpool respond…
• A Marcus Rashford opportunity presents itself…
• Why Bayern won’t be giving up on Nico Williams just yet…
• What does the future now hold for Bayern legend Thomas Müller?

FC Bayern are ready for their quarter-final clash with PSG in the Club World Cup. They are determined to show that they were unlucky not to win the Champions League title. Manuel Neuer rightly says that Bayern were the only team to beat the Parisiens in the Champions League. It will now be exciting to see how good Bayern really are in the quarter-finals.

In any case, they are already a winner. After all, Bayern have already collected $54.1m [€46.1m/£39.8m] in prize money alone before the match against PSG. This is money they can use for the transfer market. There’s a big discussion going on internally at FC Bayern about transfers, so I’d like to go into that in this column.

Nick Woltemade

Chelsea and Napoli have been turned down. FC Bayern were more convincing in their pitch. The VfB Stuttgart player has said yes to FC Bayern. Now it’s all about the money! Bayern Munich want to pay a maximum of €50m [£43.1m]. Stuttgart is demanding €100m [£86.3m], but would also be prepared to negotiate at €80m [£69m]. The player himself is clear. Kompany is said to have been very convincing during the video call, with his empathetic manner and sporting content impressing the player.

Vincent Kompany is said to have assured Woltemade that he is not planned as a backup, but as part of the starting XI, as there is no player like him in the squad. Kompany is said to have clearly shown what the interplay with Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala could look like on the pitch. Kane and Woltemade could share the number nine position (i.e. that of centre forward) in an interchangeable game. Now the clubs have to come to an agreement.

Luis Diaz

We exclusively reported over a week ago that Luis Diaz is in talks with Bayern. Now, things are getting more concrete. According to our information, FC Bayern boss Max Eberl (51) is said to have made a concrete approach to the Colombian and his management. They are said to have discussed specific figures with a view to making an offer. Now, it’s said that Liverpool have clearly signalled Diaz is allegedly not for sale. The question now is: Are LFC serious? Or is it part of the poker game? Luis Diaz is said to have been very open to talks and a transfer.

Marcus Rashford

Bayern have had the Englishman on their radar for some time. Marcus Rashford would fit perfectly into Bayern’s profile; he can play on the left and as a centre forward. He was previously considered too expensive. Now, Bayern see an opportunity. If Diaz doesn’t come, Rashford would come into focus. For years, he was the figurehead of Manchester United and was actually considered unsellable. Then there was repeated trouble with head coach Ruben Amorim, and Rashford was loaned out to Aston Villa in the winter. There, the left winger regained his old form and put in strong performances: four goals and six assists in 17 competitive matches.

Nico Williams agrees Bilbao contract extension

UPDATE: Nico Williams has extended his contract with Athletic Bilbao to 2035. This also sees his release clause increased by over 50%. Bayern now have a decision on their hands. The hierarchy in Munich has to hold internal discussions over whether the new release clause of €90m [£77.6m] is too high or not.

Bayern are not giving up hope with Nico Williams! The reason for this: the new statements from La Liga president Javier Tebas. “As things stand today, Barcelona would not be in a position to register him,” he clarified. Williams and his advisors want a guarantee that the 22-year-old can be registered directly and without any problems for the final signing in Barcelona. Tebas’ statements have raised new doubts. The Williams release clause is only supposed to be valid until 9 July. By then, the Catalans would also have to deposit the full €62m [£53.5m] with the Spanish league association. Bayern are counting on this.

Munich are still in dialogue with the player’s management. Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, left the Club World Cup early in order to press ahead with the transfer talks. According to the report, Bayern are hoping that Barça will not be able to register the winger. The Catalan club is struggling with a huge mountain of debt totalling around €1.4bn, which has already prevented the transfer of Jonathan Tah (29).

Barcelona is subject to the requirements of Financial Fair Play: the problems with the registration of Dani Olmo last season are far from forgotten. However, Barcelona boss Joan Laporta is optimistic that the deal will work out. As we recently reported, the club is expecting €40m from German investor Libero Football Finance soon. The Catalans would then be able to act.

Jamie Gittens

Max Eberl’s call to Sebastian Kehl, Borussia Dortmund’s head of sport, came too late. That Saturday, Dortmund and Chelsea had long since come to an agreement. Eberl is said to have hinted that he would pay up to €55m for Gittens. BVB had already rejected a better offer from Chelsea at the beginning of June – the Londoners were rumoured to be paying up to €65m, including bonuses.

Rafael Leão

Rafael Leão is expected to earn around €6.5m-7m net at AC Milan – a salary that would catapult him into the category of stars like Serge Gnabry at Bayern Munich. That would be too expensive. Nevertheless, the Portuguese left winger is still on the list. However, it is not concrete at the moment. Arsenal and Manchester United are also rumoured to be interested.

Cody Gakpo

The Dutchman is still one of Max Eberl’s candidates. Not all of the other bosses are convinced. The question is still being discussed internally: Is Gakpo really better than Serge Gnabry or Kingsley Coman? Wouldn’t he even be a step down from Leroy Sané? Without the backing of the supervisory board, the transfer will be difficult to push through.

Thomas Müller

Now it’s getting concrete with LA! Thomas Müller’s (35) future is taking on a more concrete shape! While rumours were circulating about a move to SSC Napoli, this is actually not an option. There have now been renewed talks with MLS club Los Angeles FC, supported by representatives of FC Bayern. After the two sides had been far apart financially in the meantime, LA now want to progress with a new, improved offer.

Following the departure of superstar Olivier Giroud (moving to Lille), LA are now in a better financial position. Following the latest talks, a decision is finally set to be made. Is the Bayern legend really going to California? Or is he reorienting himself? Even an end to his career is not out of the question.

→ READ MORE: The Bayern Insider: Rafael Leão receives transfer seal of approval

→ READ MORE: Christian Falk’s Fact Files – Manchester United are interested in Felix Nmecha