Daily Schmankerl: FC Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho is on the discount rack; Bayern Munich interested in Renato Tapia (!?); Joshua Zirkzee taking time to find next club; Liverpool planning for PSG’s Kylian Mbappe?; and MORE!

Coutinho available for €24.5 million? (Transfer Market Web)

Former Bayern Munich midfielder and current FC Barcelona outcast Philippe Coutinho could be available for a cut rate deal:

According to Daily Mail, Barcelona is open to accept an offer of £21m for Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian attacking midfielder three-and-a-half years was paid three-and-a-half years ago £143m from Liverpool.

At that price, Coutinho could be an attractive player to a few teams. Certainly, there will be some Premier League clubs interested in the Brazilian.

LFC eyeing Mbappe? (ESPN)

Liverpool might be preparing to take a run at — allegedly — disgruntled Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe:

Liverpool will be at the front of the queue for Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe as speculation continues over the future of the 22-year-old, who has just one year left on his deal at the Parc des Princes.

The Daily Mirror writes that Jurgen Klopp’s side are ready to make their move if the France international’s contract situation remains unresolved. PSG have always maintained that there’s no chance Mbappe will leave the club, even on a free transfer, but his future will be out of their hands next summer — unless he is persuaded to pen an extension.

An impressive 2020-21 campaign saw the striker score 42 goals and provide 10 assists across all competitions. Competition for Mbappe will be intense should be leave PSG as a free agent, and Real Madrid have made no attempt to hide their admiration.

Liverpool’s best hope could be to try and sign Mbappe this summer, when they could offer PSG the chance to recoup some of the €180m fee paid to AS Monaco in 2017.

Bayern eyeing Tapia (La Republica)

This came out of nowhere — and we have no idea what “ESPN Atlanta” is — but Bayern Munich allegedly has interest in Celta Vigo midfielder Renato Tapia:

In the previous duel between Peru vs. Brazil for the semifinals of the Copa América 2021 , the news has begun to spread that an important team in Europe would be interested in having one of Ricardo Gareca’s coached: Renato Tapia. The team? Bayern Munich.

According to ESPN Atlanta, the sporting director of the Bavarian giants made an offer to Celta de Vigo to have the services of the Peruvian team midfielder once the participation of the Bicolor in the Copa América 2021 ends. They also mentioned that the midfielder was recommended by Claudio Pizarro, ambassador and legend of Bayern Munich, on a previous occasion.

According to LesTransferts, the Bavarians had shown an interest in the ‘captain of the future’ at the beginning of June, but sources from the Galician team asserted that the Germans prefer to wait for the team to successfully complete the America’s Cup.

Basel interested in Zirkzee, but youngster wants to wait (@Sky_MaxB)

Joshua Zirkzee knows his future is probably going to be played elsewhere, but the young Dutchman want to take his time in making a decision on where to go next:

Podolski back to Poland (@FabrizioRomano)

Former Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski is signing with his home club, Gornik Zabrze:

Before that deal was announced, ESPN was reporting that Podolski could be headed to Brazil:

Brazilian side Fortaleza are in negotiations to sign former Arsenal and Bayern striker Lukas Podolski as a free agent, but the 2014 World Cup winner also has an offer from Polish side Gornik Zabrze.

Fortaleza president Marcelo Paz confirmed to ESPN Brasil that negotiations are ongoing, with the Brazilian side ready to offer him a 18-month contract.

Podolski, 36, was heavily linked with a move to Mexican side Queretaro last month but sources close to the negotiations told ESPN Brazil that he would prefer a move to Brazil.

Rose counting on Brandt (Sport Bild)

New Borussia Dortmund boss Marco Rose is going to look to Julian Brandt to be a key player.

“It makes total sense that Julian can prove himself under the new coach. He’s a good guy and has incredible potential,” said Rose. “I do expect an increase in performance from him, however. And that he continually meets this potential!