Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has reiterated that German Wold Cup winner Mario Gotze will remain with the club, amidst talks of a swap move with Juventus for Arturo Vidal.
The Bundesliga champions are in advanced talks with Juventus regarding the transfer of combative midfielder Arturo Vidal, while the Old Lady are looking to sign a number 10, with Mario Gotze reportedly a transfer target. Media speculation had suggested that a swap deal involving Gotze and Vidal could be possbile. However, Rummenigge has rubbished such claims.
a Mario is not a bargaining chip in the Vidal deala – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
The Bayern Munich CEO has insisted that Mario Gotze is no bargaining chip, and Bayern don’t do swap deals, just like he had said, when reports had linked Angel di Maria with a move to Allianz Arena as part of the Schweinsteiger deal, with Manchester United.
Rummenigge while speaking to Corriere dello Sport, said: a Mario is not a bargaining chip in the Vidal deal.a
a It is like repeating the same story from last week when I was asked whether [Angel] di Maria would be part of the deal when [Bastian] Schweinsteiger joined Manchester United.a
Rummenigge further insisted, that despite the speculation regarding Gotze’s future, the Bavarians are looking to hold on to their prized asset.
“There is nothing to approve about these rumours,” he added.
“I was asked this many times. I don’t want to approve or exclude anything, but I say that we won’t exchange. Especially with Mario. Everybody knows the contracts.”
a Gotze has a contract with us and we want to keep him; the rest are just rumours that we would neither confirm nor deny.a
Gotze feels under-appreciated at Bayern Munich- Agent
It is believed that the 23-year-old is currently unsettled at the Allianz Arena, with his agent going as far as saying, that the former Dortmund midfielder feels he does not get the recognition he deserves. Arsenal FC were also heavily linked with a move for the German international when he was still with Bayern Munich, and if he is available, there’s no reason why the Gunners won’t rekindle their interest in him. Juventus are interested in signing a No. 10, with Mario Gotze, Oscar and Mesut Ozil said to be their top targets, as they look to revamp their midfield after losing key member Andrea Pirlo and with the imminent transfer of Arturo Vidal.
With many important first team members, reaching the twilight of their career, including Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, the 23-year-old is set to be the next big star for Bayern. The German international has 2 years left on his contract at Allianz Arena, and amidst all these speculations, might be handed a new contract, to keep the suitors away.
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