Daily Schmankerl: Real Madrid eyeing Robert Lewandowski?; Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig eyeing Alexander Nübel for Nordi Mukiele swap?; Real Madrid’s Lucas Vazquez not moving to Bayern Munich; Harry Kane to leave Tottenham Hotspur?; and MORE!

Real Madrid scoping Lewandowski? (Daily Mail)

File this one under “loose” rumors as Real Madrid is could be thinking about taking another run at Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski:

Robert Lewandowski could be the subject of interest from Real Madrid amid talk he may quit Bayern Munich this summer, according to reports. The Polish forward is having another top season for the German champions, scoring 43 goals in 37 appearances to date with Bayern on the brink of landing another Bundesliga title. The 32-year-old has just over two years left on his deal and has regularly been linked with a move to Madrid since he first moved to Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2013.

Once Pini Zahavi threw some chum in the water, the sharks all have come calling. Still, it is highly doubtful that Bayern Munich even remotely considers sell its star striker.

Bayern and Leipzig eyeing swap deal? (Transfer Market Web)

The dealings between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig might not have ended with Julian Nagelsmann. At least one report states that the clubs might put their respective heads together to work out a swap deal involving Alexander Nübel and Nordi Mukiele:

While Bayern Munich are allegedly getting more and more interested in 23-year-old French-Congolese right-back Nordi Mukiele, RB Leipzig management, according to Kicker, are keen on German goalkeeper Alexander Nübel (24, in the pic on the left). To this end, the two Bundesliga giants might end up arranging a swap, in case Peter Gulacsi leaves Leipzig for good.

The latter, current Bayern Munich backup goalie, is meanwhile tracked also by Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco, and Olympique de Marseille. Former Schalke 04 stopper is currently on a deal with CL defending champions until June 2025.

Nübel, of course desperately wants a move out of Manuel Neuer’s shadow — and the spot below him on the depth chart, while Nagelsmann is said to be a big fan of Mukiele, a defender, who would likely slot in as the right wing-back should the new boss opt to use his preferred “back-three” alignment.

If true, that could be bad news for players like Benjamin Pavard, Chris Richards, and Lars Lukas Mai. Pavard could slide into the center-back rotation if he is retained, but that could also push out youngster like Richards and Mai. As for Sarr, it remains very unclear if there is anything more than a deep reserve spot on the roster for the Frenchman.

This does not even included alleged signing Omar Richards.

Regardless, this type of deal would seem highly unlikely.

Vazquez poised to re-up with Madrid (AS)

Real Madrid veteran Lucas Vazquez was heavily linked to Bayern Munich because of his experience and versatility, but it looks like those attributes will stay in Spain:

Lucas Vázquez seems poised to stay with Real Madrid after the latest round of contract renewal talks between both sides with the player’s term currently expiring on 30 June. The Spanish international is highly sought after with the likes of Bayern Múnich and PSG submitting proposals in a bid to secure his signature.

Initially Real Madrid proposed to offer the same deal (approximately 3.5 million euro per season) to the versatile player but with the club also anxious to include the 10% general salary reduction that has been applied to all players of the basketball and football teams as a consequence of loss of income via the pandemic.

Sport Bild’s Tobi Altschäffl says that Bayern Munich never formally submitted an offer for Vazquez anyway:

Kane fueling rumors of departure (kicker)

Is Harry Kane getting fed up with the lack of trophies at Tottenham Hotspur? Maybe...and the high-scoring striker might actually be thinking about moving on:

Harry Kane (27) clears prizes individually, only not with the Tottenham Hotspur. That this will change in view of the strong competition in England is at least not likely. On the “Sky Sports” microphone, the top scorer said that he wants to win titles with a team, he just left the name of the team open. Recently, there was speculation about a farewell. The problem from Kane’s point of view: his contract runs until 2024, and Tottenham boss Daniel Levy is unlikely to let his most valuable player go.

Fiorentina offers Ribery new deal (kicker)

Fiorentina would like to extend the contract of Bayern Munich legend Franck Ribery:

Franck Ribery’s contract with Serie A club Fiorentina is running out, the future is still unclear. At least the Fiorentina has now made the ex-Bayern star an offer. However, the now 38-year-old would have to do without money. Florence would only extend the wing runabout for a year at reduced payments, as the “Gazzetta dello Sport” reports.

Everton feeling good about Coutinho (Daily Mail)

While Bayern Munich is not in the running for FC Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho, Everton continues its push — even going as far as looking for housing for the player:

Everton are said to be so confident of pulling off a summer move for Philippe Coutinho that a process of house hunting has already begun. The Brazilian is finally set to call time on his Barcelona nightmare this summer, and the Toffees have emerged as shock contenders for his signature.

However, a source close to Coutinho’s camp has today told Sportsmail that a move to Everton is currently ‘unlikely’ - although that could change ahead of the summer transfer window. Coutinho will be placed on the market as cash-strapped Barca desperately try to balance the books and look to reinvest funds into the squad.

Should Coutinho return to Merseyside in the blue of Everton, it would be a move steeped in controversy given the iconic status he achieved during his time at Anfield. According to the Sun, Everton personnel have already started the process of looking into possible living arrangements for the star.

Vidal turns down Marseille (Transfer Market Web)

Former Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal has reportedly turned down an offer to joining Olympique Marseille:

Playing for Inter Milan since last September, Chilean international midfielder Arturo Vidal (turning 34 on May 22), who’s about to win his fifth Italian national title ever, turned down Olympique de Marseille attempt to sign him, according to La Provence.

Currently on a deal with Serie A giants until June 2022, former Barcelona FC, Bayern Munich and Juventus playmaker is earning a 6.5 million euros annual salary at the time.

Vidal was full of heart and a warrior for the large part of his career, but neither technical ability, nor speed were ever really his strongest assets. As those areas of his game regress further, it will be harder for Vidal to continue to play at the highest level. Hopefully the Chilean can find a good club with a decent role that will help him ease into the twilight of his career.