Bayern Munich turn down Wijnaldum - Neuhaus number one priority

Georginio Wijnaldum is one of the most valuable players available on a free transfer next summer. In March, The Times reported that the 30-year-old would leave Liverpool and join Barcelona, where he has signed a pre-contract. But nothing has been made official, and Sky has reported that the Catalans prefer giving academy player Ilaix Moriba time to develop and that new president Joan Laporta is against a transfer. The Dutchman appears to have plenty of other options, but Bayern Munich is not one of them. 

The Munich-based newspaper Abendzeitung claims that Wijnaldum has been offered to the Rekordmeister. Bayern Munich like the player but his advanced age and salary demands mean that Wijnaldum is not a player that the club wants to sign. Signing Wijnaldum, who joined Liverpool for €27.5m five years ago from Newcastle United, is not a topic for Bayern. Instead, the club is focused on signing Florian Neuhaus. 

"He is the object of their desire," the newspaper wrote about the 24-year-old German national team player. Neuhaus is Hasan Salihamidzic's number one transfer target. The Bayern Munich director of sport believes Neuhaus can fill the gap behind Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. The 24-year-old is under contract until 2024 at the Foals but has a €40 million exit clause this summer. 

Borussia Mönchengladbach: Neuhaus has made no decision

"I am playing for Borussia, I have a contract, and the club and I have ambitious targets this season," Neuhaus said to the German magazine kicker. "I can't say what will happen in the summer. I am completely relaxed about the future." Bayern have already signed Dayot Upamecano for €42.5 million from RB Leipzig, and it is questionable whether the Rekordmeister can afford a second signing of that category next summer.