Bayern Munich have been left with a hole after Robert Lewandowski's exit for Barcelona.

Sadio Mane moved to Munich from Liverpool in the close season but he is not a like-for-like replacement.

Bayern have started the new Bundesliga campaign in indifferent form, following up three wins with as many draws.

TOP STORY – NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY BETWEEN KANE AND BAYERN

Harry Kane is increasingly open to the idea of making the move to join German champions Bayern Munich, claims Sky Sports.

Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg reports that negotiations have already been held by Bayern and Kane's brother Charlie, who represents him.

Bayern have made the Tottenham striker their number one target and can offer him the likelihood of silverware, in comparison to Spurs.

ROUND-UP

– Fabrizio Romano reports that Lionel Messi will not make a decision on his future until after the World Cup, but Paris Saint-Germain are planning to offer him a new deal, while Barcelona are interested in re-signing him. Messi is contracted until 2023 but there is the option of another year in Paris.

– Jude Bellingham's list of suitors is growing with Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool all keen on Borussia Dortmund's English talent according to AS.

– New Chelsea boss Graham Potter has approved the club's pursuit of RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, with the club to try to sign him again in June 2023 reports Fichajes.

– Germany international forward Max Kruse's contract with Wolfsburg is set to be mutually terminated during the Bundesliga break, claims Sport.

– The Guardian reports that Lens head coach Franck Haise is under consideration for the vacant Brighton and Hove Albion managerial post, along with Bodo/Glimt's Kjetil Knutsen and ex-Shakhtar Donetsk boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Former Germany striker Max Kruse insisted only he will decide when his Bundesliga career is over as he hit out at Wolfsburg coach Niko Kovac for leaving him out in the cold.

Kruse, who won 14 Germany caps between 2013 and 2015, was left out of Wolfsburg's 1-0 win over Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday – their first Bundesliga victory of the season.

Both Kovac and sporting director Marcel Schafer declared there was no way back for Kruse, with the former saying: "We demand 100 per cent identification, concentration and focus on Wolfsburg from all players. We didn't have that feeling with Max."

Schafer then insisted the 34-year-old, who scored seven goals in 14 appearances for Wolfsburg last season after arriving in January, would not play for Die Wolfe again.

In a video posted on his Instagram account, Kruse refuted Kovac's claims regarding his lack of application, saying: "I respect the coach's opinion, apparently I should no longer identify with the club. 

"But everyone who knows me knows I've been a professional for the last 10 or 12 years, when I always gave my all for the club I played for. 

"That will continue to be the case as long as I get to train and play football.

"I came to Wolfsburg in January to help the team, and I think I did that in the second half of last season.

"I decide for myself when my time in the Bundesliga is over, and nobody else decides that for me."

Max Kruse has played his last match for Wolfsburg after coach Niko Kovac raised doubts about the commitment of the former Germany striker.

Kovac and sporting director Marcel Schafer said on Saturday there was no way back for 34-year-old Kruse with the Bundesliga outfit.

Wolfsburg won 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, getting the better of last season's Europa League winners thanks to Maxence Lacroix's header on the hour mark.

It was a first victory of the Bundesliga campaign at the sixth attempt. Former Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach forward Kruse was left out, a week after playing the full game in the 4-2 home defeat to Koln.

"We demand 100 per cent identification, concentration and focus on Wolfsburg from all players. We didn't have that feeling with Max. That's why he's not there," Kovac told German broadcaster Sky Sport.

Kovac, the former Bayern Munich and Monaco head coach, added: "We didn't see any impetus from Max that he could help the team. The club is more important than everything else and that's why we made the decision together.

"We informed him that he will not play a role for us in the future. No more games."

Schafer added: "He will never play for VfL Wolfsburg again."

Kruse signed an 18-month deal when he joined Wolfsburg in January, meaning he faces playing no games until next season unless he finds a new club in January.

He won 14 caps for Germany from 2013 to 2015 before falling out of favour, while he also played three games for the Germany Olympic team at Tokyo 2020.

Earlier this season, Kruse had questioned his level of involvement at Wolfsburg, with his first three appearances coming off the bench.

He then started against RB Leipzig and Koln, but in 270 minutes of action in the 2022-23 Bundesliga he failed to register a goal or an assist, and managed only two shots on target, before Wolfsburg pulled the plug on his season.

Mainz were hit with an €8,000 beer bill on Tuesday after their fans showered Union Berlin forward Max Kruse during a recent Bundesliga game.

Former Germany international Kruse was targeted after he was substituted in the 83rd minute of Union's 2-1 win at Mainz in early October.

He had beer cups thrown over him as he walked behind the goal on his way off the pitch, resulting in a soaking for the 33-year-old.

Kruse kept his cool and said in a post-match interview with DAZN: "Why should something like that provoke me? What should I say to such nonsense heads?"

Mainz were charged over the behaviour of their fans and German Football Association (DFB) chiefs have now passed judgement.

"The sports court of the DFB fined the Bundesliga club Mainz 8,000 euros in single judge proceedings after the DFB control committee brought charges for unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of its supporters," the DFB said in a statement.

"In the 83rd minute of the Bundesliga game against Union Berlin on October 3, 2021, the Berlin player Max Kruse was showered with beer by spectators from Mainz after his substitution. The association has agreed to the ruling, the ruling is now final."