Bayern Midfield Hunt Cools: De Cat Out, Pavlović Contact Denied, and Other Transfer Notes

MunPLANEGG, 15 May — Bayern Munich’s summer rebuild will not include RSC Anderlecht’s 22-year-old midfield orchestrator, Nathan De Cat. Despite persistent links, Sport Bild head of football Christian Falk confirmed on Thursday that the Bavarian club has removed the Belgian from its shortlist. “FC Bayern find the player interesting, that’s very true,” Falk said, “but there just isn’t a free space in midfield for another No 6 or 8 of his style.” The decision clears a path for Premier League suitors and leaves academy prospect Kennet Eichhorn as the internal fallback option should the club add depth in the engine room.

The clarification follows steady conjecture about external reinforcements, yet the club is clearly leaning toward promoting from within rather than splashing cash on another central midfielder.

Meanwhile, a swirl of speculation linking Aleksandar Pavlovic to Chelsea was quashed by the same authoritative source. Falk confirmed that no talks have taken place between the London club and the 19-year-old German who has broken into the Bayern first team this season. “There was contact in the winter, but not from Chelsea— it was Manchester City,” he revealed, noting that the answer from the record champions was a firm “no.”

Chelsea are not alone in admiration for Pavlovic, but for now Bayern regard him as part of their long-term core and are not entertaining any offers.

Else in Europe, Barcelona are weighing up a one-year extension for Robert Lew andowski, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 37-year-old striker has not made a decision and is also assessing approaches from the Saudi Pro League and MLS ahead of the summer window.

In England, Nottingham Forest newcomer Elliot Anderson is attracting a trio of top league sides. Newcastle United are plotting a reunion with their former academy graduate, while Manchester United and Manchester City are monitoring the 21-year-old closely.

Borussia Dortmund may cash in on Serhou Guirassy should a €50 million offer arrive from a top European club. The Guine international’s representatives are taking a measured approach and will not decide until the off-season. Should Guir an depart, Hoffen heim’s 20-year-old forward Fis Asllani is a prime candidate to replace him, partly thanks to his shared history with new BVB sporting director Book at El ver sberg.

E intracht Frank f t appear ready to cash in on Swedish midfielder Hugo Larsson after years of rebuffing su ors. Premier League and La Liga clubs have already approached through super-agent Has an C tin kaya and formal proposals are expected once the summer window opens.

and Mo Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the campaign, bringing his stor mer years at An field to a close.

Bayern’s next on-field focus is a blockbuster Champions League semi final against Real Madrid without Belgian keeper Th b Cour ois, while the club is reportedly about to boost Michael Ol ise’s wages as part of a new long-term deal.

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