Daily Schmankerl: FC Bayern Frauen are Women’s Cup champs; an update on Ivan Rakitic; and MORE!

FC Bayern Frauen are 2018 Women’s Cup champs! (@FCBfrauen)

In what is hopefully a great sign of things to come, the Bayern ladies swept through the 2018 Women’s Cup and clinched the tourney crown by defeating FC Zürich 5-1. The details below are from FCBayern.com:

Zurich took a penalty (31) converted by Riana Fischer to take the lead, but Jovana Damnjanovic (34) equalized only a short time later. Jill Roord gave Bayern the lead (41’), before Damnjanovic (45’) scored again for the 3-1 halftime score. Sydney Lohmann (56.) increased it to 4:1 and youngster Laura Donhauser (58) sealed the 5-1 final score.

Congrats ladies!

Ivan Rakitic would only move to Bayern if Thiago leaves (Sport1)

Ivan Rakitic wants to finish his contract with FC Barcelona and then possibly end his career with Sevilla. However, should Thiago bolt for Real Madrid (Ed note: unlikely), Rakitic could become a target for the Bavarians.

According to SPORT1 information, Rakitic would not like to transfer to the Rekordmeister, but rather fulfill his contract until 2021 with FC Barcelona. As SPORT1 further learned from people close to the Croatian international, he would like to end his career after his time with the Catalans at his former club, Sevilla FC.

According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, Rakitic is a player wanted by Bayern coach Niko Kovac. Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco are also said to cast a glance at Rakitic. However, he has a fixed transfer fee of 125 million euros. Anyway, Rakitic would only become a possibility in Munich if the Spaniard Thiago left the club for Real Madrid. The vice-world champion sees his future still at Barca.

I just can’t see any scenario where Rakitic joins Bayern.

Serge Gnabry is back running (@cfbayern)

After muscular problems in his thigh, Serge Gnabry now feels much better. The player is running again @FCBayern

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius could wind up at Besiktas (The Mirror)

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp may be ready to let Loris Karius make a move to Besiktas.

Besiktas want Loris Karius - and Jurgen Klopp is ready to let the distraught keeper leave Anfield. The Turkish club have made an approach for the German who suffered a nightmare in the Champions’ League final. Liverpool will listen to offers for Karius, whose future at Anfield looks uncertain after the arrival of Alisson in a then world record deal this summer. Talks are ongoing and Besiktas are interested in a loan deal that could lead to a permanent move for the Germany U21 international.

We know at least one individual who can provide a warm welcome to the German:

Yup, I totally included this to shoehorn in another reference to #BesiktasGingerCat.

Julian Weigl price tag set at £68m (!?) with interest from PSG and Manchester City (The Mirror)

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl just became A LOT more expensive. With PSG and Manchester City sniffing around, BVB laid down a price for the midfielder.

Borussia Dortmund have slapped a £68m price tag on Julian Weigl to deter Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. The Germans fended off interest in his signature this summer, but after the acquisitions of Axel Witsel and Thomas Delaney, they now have depth to the position.

Pep Guardiola is looking for a midfielder having seen Chelsea beat off City for Jorginho’s signature. Fernandinho is approaching the final years of his career and Weigl could be an attractive option, claim France Football, though the price tag is expensive, given the Blues paid £57m for Jorginho, which included compensation for Maurizio Sarri. Thomas Tuchel will hope to be reunited with the youngster in Paris if Dortmund are prepared to sell their maestro.

Manchester City may have the cash to pony up for Weigl and PSG could be in the mix, especially if Adrien Rabiot decides to bolt, but Dortmund does not seem to want to let go of the 22-year old. City, of course, would have to wait for Weigl as the Premier League’s summer transfer window has closed.