GERMAN football will return this month as the Bundesliga becomes the first major European league to bounce back from lockdown.
Chancellor Angela Merkel today gave the green light for football to return as early as May 15.
And many Premier League chiefs will be keeping a close eye on the action to see how some of their potential transfer targets fare.
Jadon Sancho is on Manchester United’s wishlist and the England ace was pictured back at training on Tuesday as he geared up for football’s return.
But he is not the only one on the radar of English teams and here SunSport explore ten Bundesliga players who could make a move to the Premier League during the next transfer window.
JADON SANCHO
United have been tracking the 20-year-old for some time and are looking to add him to their attack to play alongside Three Lions teammate Marcus Rashford.
But despite their desire to bring Sancho to the club they are determined not to break the bank.
The prospect of the Red Devils splashing crazy sums is unrealistic in the current climate with coronavirus dropping every player’s value by “at least 15 per cent”.
Dortmund put a £100million-plus price tag on Sancho earlier this year with a warning the valuation could rise even further if he impressed for England at the Euros.
Now, any premium has disappeared with the Euros postponed but United have to be cautious not to annoy the Germans with low-ball bids.
The Old Trafford club are said to be unwilling to spend more than the £89m they splashed on Paul Pogba, with any deal less than £86m seen as a result.
DAYOT UPAMECANO
French centre-back Upamecano has been linked with Man Utd and Arsenal.
The Gunners are particularly keen with Mikel Arteta looking to overhaul his defence.
But both clubs were dealt a huge blow at the end of last month when Bayern Munich were said to have agreed a deal with the 21-year-old.
KAI HAVERTZ
The Bayer Leverkusen playmaker, 20, has drawn attention from United, Liverpool and most recently Chelsea.
Having already sealed the signature of Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech, the Blues are linked with a number of other stars to bolster their attack.
Usually playing behind the striker in a central role, Havertz could fill what has become a troublesome spot for Frank Lampard even if he is well-stocked in that department.
But while the West Londoners will battle United and Liverpool, all three are said to be behind Bayern Munich in the queue.
PHILIPPE COUTINHO
The ex-Liverpool man has been on loan with Bayern Munich since last summer and will return to Barcelona at the end of the season.
But the Catalans are desperate to offload the Brazilian who failed to hit the ground running after his switch from Anfield in January 2018.
Once again, Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move after Liverpool rejected the chance to sign their former star.
But the Blues will reportedly have to fork out £87million to land the Nou Camp outcast.
Newcastle are also a shock name in the mix – should their £300m Saudi Arabia takeover go through.
ERLING HAALAND
Man Utd tried to sign the razor sharp young finisher in January before he eventually opted for Dortmund.
The 19-year-old prodigy is one of the hottest properties in Europe and was in scintillating form before the season was KO’d by the coronavirus crisis.
Haaland’s electrifying form mean the Red Devils face a fight with Real Madrid to sign the forward – who is a top summer transfer target for boss Ole Gunner Solskjaer.
The 47-year-old Norwegian has a long standing admiration for his compatriot who slipped through the net in the last transfer window.
Both clubs are reportedly willing to pay his £63million release clause but it has now emerged the buy-out only comes into effect in two years’ time – in 2022.
TIMO WERNER
The German international hotshot has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool for months.
But the Reds have reportedly asked for more time to try and complete the £52million deal.
The Merseysiders are interested in making a summer move for the RB Leipzig striker but want to make sure a deal is viable financially before committing.
According to reports, the Anfield club have reached out to Werner’s representatives to work out a way to delay a transfer until later in the summer.
DAVID ALABA
Another Chelsea target as Lampard desperately tries to replace Emerson at left-back.
The Brazilian has disappointed the Blues boss this season and backup Marcos Alonso is seen as just that – a backup.
It is understood Lampard is interested in Alaba’s versatility and experience across the backline given his experience playing at centre-back and midfield for Bayern.
MANUEL NEUER
Once again, it’s Chelsea who have been heavily linked with the iconic German stopper as they look to replace out of favour Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The blues were recently handed a boost after Bayern reportedly refused to offer Neuer more money after he criticised the club.
In an interview with German outlet Bild, 34-year-old Neuer refuted claims he wants a five-year-deal but also hit back at leaks coming from the Bayern camp.
Bayern have offered the stopper a deal until 2023 but are wary of offering a longer term as that would see new signing Alexander Nubel on the bench for the full length of his contract.
MARIO GOTZE
According to reports in Germany , Gotze will definitely leave Dortmund this summer with West Ham and Everton interested.
The 27-year-old has been on the fringes at the Bundesliga side this season, starting only five of their 25 league matches.
And with his contract expiring on June 30, a number of clubs are interested in the former Germany international.
According to Bild, a contract extension in Westphalia is “impossible” – but Gotze will only attract “category B clubs”.
LUCA WALDSCHMIDT
Earlier this month, SunSport exclusively revealed another Bundesliga star Chelsea are interested in.
Chelsea boss Lamps wants a couple of new attackers and will open talks over a possible £20million deal for the Freiburg forward.
Waldschmidt, 23, has won two senior caps following his sensational performance in last year’s European Under-21 Championship in Italy, where he banged in seven goals in four games.
The locals were so impressed with the starlet they named him ‘Il Bomber’ in a nod to West Germany’s legend Gerd Muller, who was known as ‘Der Bomber’.
