19-year-old Jude Bellingham was handed the armband by Dortmund boss Edin Terzic after Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, the two usual captains, were both unavailable.

The 28-year-old took an indefinite break from football to undergo further tests and treatment after a urological examination discovered the tumour earlier this month

Nkunku underwent tests in Frankfurt in August, with a Chelsea orthopedist present, as the Blues look to steal a march in the hunt for one of Europe's top young marksmen, according to Bild.

The Red Devils pursued de Jong all summer, agreeing a free with Barcelona, but he rejected the chance to move to Erik ten Hag's side and was determined to stay in Spain.

Sportsmail takes a closer look at how Bayern Munich's free-scoring start has made way for a disjointed and lethargic run which has bosses sweating over their championship monopoly.