Robben and Ribery in line for Bayern renewals

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will be offered contract renewals at some stage in the coming months.

Both wingers' contracts are due to expire in June 2017, but Bayern are yet to open talks over new deals with the experienced attackers.

Nevertheless, Rummenigge has made it clear the Bundesliga champions are keen to hold on to both Robben and Ribery beyond the expiration of their existing deals.

"I do not rule out that both will sign renewals with Bayern," Rummenigge told Kicker. "We all know how incredibly important they are, both on and off the pitch.

"But both will have to be patient for a bit. It is only normal to wait a bit longer with players who are older than 30."

Robben, 32, joined Bayern from Real Madrid in August 2009. The 33-year-old Ribery, meanwhile, has been with club since signing from Marseille in June 2007.

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Robben and Ribery in line for Bayern renewals

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has suggested both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will be offered contract renewals at some stage in the coming months.

Both wingers' contracts are due to expire in June 2017, but Bayern are yet to open talks over new deals with the experienced attackers.

Nevertheless, Rummenigge has made it clear the Bundesliga champions are keen to hold on to both Robben and Ribery beyond the expiration of their existing deals.

"I do not rule out that both will sign renewals with Bayern," Rummenigge told Kicker. "We all know how incredibly important they are, both on and off the pitch.

"But both will have to be patient for a bit. It is only normal to wait a bit longer with players who are older than 30."

Robben, 32, joined Bayern from Real Madrid in August 2009. The 33-year-old Ribery, meanwhile, has been with club since signing from Marseille in June 2007.

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Bayern defend Boateng after politician's insult

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has hit out at Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) politician Alexander Gauland following the latter's controversial comments toward Jerome Boateng.

The deputy leader of the anti-immigration party stated at the weekend that "people like Boateng as a footballer, but wouldn't want to live next to someone like him" in an apparent reference to the Bayern defender's foreign roots.

Gauland's remarks sparked controversy in Germany and Rummenigge has now taken aim at the right-wing politician.

"Discrimination of any kind in sport and this society deserves the red card," Rummenigge said in a statement on the official Bayern website.

"Jerome Boateng is a wonderful human being and an example to follow as a professional football player at this club.

"We are proud that he also plays for the German national team."

The 27-year-old Boateng was born in Berlin and has won 57 caps for Germany, playing a key role in their successful 2014 World Cup campaign.

The defender has a Ghanaian father, with his brother Kevin-Prince Boateng having represented the African country at international level.

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Dortmund dismiss Aubameyang exit talk

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has laughed off suggestions Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to leave the club.

Gabon coach Jorge Costa was quoted as saying on Saturday that the 26-year-old had asked not to be selected for the friendly against Mauritania because he is close to a transfer, with clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United believed to be keeping a close eye on the prolific attacker's situation following his sublime performances in 2015-16.

However, Dortmund have made it clear there is no truth in suggestions Aubameyang is on his way out of the Signal Iduna Park.

"Is Aubameyang set to leave? That's b******t," Watzke told Sport Bild when questioned about a potential transfer.

Aubameyang netted 39 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions for BVB in 2015-16, helping them to second spot in the Bundesliga table and the DFB Pokal final, where Bayern Munich proved to be too strong.

The former AC Milan man has a contract with Dortmund until the end of June 2020.

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Dortmund dismiss Aubameyang exit talk

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has laughed off suggestions Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to leave the club.

Gabon coach Jorge Costa was quoted as saying on Saturday that the 26-year-old had asked not to be selected for the friendly against Mauritania because he is close to a transfer, with clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United believed to be keeping a close eye on the prolific attacker's situation following his sublime performances in 2015-16.

However, Dortmund have made it clear there is no truth in suggestions Aubameyang is on his way out of the Signal Iduna Park.

"Is Aubameyang set to leave? That's b******t," Watzke told Sport Bild when questioned about a potential transfer.

Aubameyang netted 39 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions for BVB in 2015-16, helping them to second spot in the Bundesliga table and the DFB Pokal final, where Bayern Munich proved to be too strong.

The former AC Milan man has a contract with Dortmund until the end of June 2020.

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Subotic considering his options

Neven Subotic has hinted he could leave Borussia Dortmund ahead of next season.

The 27-year-old lost his starting berth at Dortmund after Thomas Tuchel replaced Jurgen Klopp as coach, making just 11 appearances in all competitions in 2015-16, partially due to an arm injury that kept him sidelined towards the end of the season.

Subotic has admitted he struggled to accept his new situation and the centre-back is keen to hold talks with Dortmund ahead of next term before making a decision on his future.

"I have been a footballer for 10 years and last season was the first where I got little playing time. I needed some time to accept my new situation," Subotic told Ruhr Nachrichten.

"We had a phenomenal season and I understand the coach cannot keep everyone happy. But I did not become a footballer to get paid for warming the bench. I want to play. I am a fighter.

"I really appreciate the club, the team and the fans. But we will definitely sit down to discuss my future. I will have to wait and see what the club want and whether that matches my expectations. You have to be open if that's not the case.

"But we are not there just yet. I always have to laugh about transfer rumours a bit. Sometimes it looks like others know more about my plans than I do."

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Low: I don't regret telling Gotze to outshine Messi

Germany boss Joachim Low insists he does not regret telling Mario Gotze to show the world he is better than Lionel Messi.

The 23-year-old's development has somewhat stalled ever since he scored the winning goal in the final of the 2014 World Cup against Messi's Argentina, as he has struggled to cement his place in Bayern Munich's first team due to injury problems and a lack of form.

Low admitted after that triumph in Brazil that he had told Gotze to "show the world you are better than Messi and can decide the World Cup", but he denies that such comments have put the former Borussia Dortmund man under undue pressure to perform ever since.

"Mario is a player with incredible abilities," he said on Saturday. "For a player after such a tournament like the World Cup 2014 to sometimes experience a drop is not unusual.

"The fact that I told public that I said to him 'Show the world that you are better than Messi', I don't see this as a mistake. I do not regret it. I think Mario can handle it."

Gotze was heavily linked with a transfer to Liverpool before stating that he was eager to stay at the Allianz Arena and fight for his place under new head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Low, despite previously suggesting that a new challenge could benefit Gotze's career, says he has no interest in further discussing the attacking midfielder's future plans at club level.

"I am no longer interested in the topic of Bayern Munich or his intentions for transfers. What interests me now is the performance," he said.

Germany take on Slovakia in a Euro 2016 warm-up match in Augsburg on Sunday.

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Bayern will reject all offers for Lewandowski - Rummenigge

Robert Lewandowski is not for sale at any price, Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted.

The Poland striker's agent caused a stir on Friday when he announced that Real Madrid had made an approach over the prospect of a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Lewandowski was quoted as telling Spiegel that he is tempted by the thought of "a new impulse" in his career after six years in the Bundesliga with Bayern and Borussia Dortmund.

Rummenigge, however, says the 27-year-old will stay at the Allianz Arena next season regardless of any significant transfer bids from Madrid or elsewhere.

"One thing I know for sure: Robert Lewandowski will play at Bayern Munich the next season," he told Kicker. "No one must have any thoughts about that.

"The decision is like this: we will not give Robert Lewandowski to another club, no matter what they offer to us. We have no breaking point with Robert."

Lewandowski scored 42 goals in 51 appearances as Bayern claimed the domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-finals in Pep Guardiola's final season in charge.

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Lewandowski Held talks with Real Madrid; Agent confirms

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The Bayern Munich star has opened the door to a move to Spain after insisting that "contracts are not the holy relic" with reports suggesting he will be offered a six-year deal.

The agent of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed that the player has held talks with Real Madrid.

Poland international Lewandowski, who scored 30 league goals in the 2015-16 campaign to help Bayern claim their fourth Bundesliga title in a row, has long been linked with a switch to Madrid and suggested back in April that he could move to England or Spain one day.

And the former Dortmund star's agent has now revealed that the Champions League finalists have been in contact with Lewandowski's camp, with Bayern aware ofthe situation.

Cezary Kucharski told German news magazineSpiegel:"Real Madrid contacted us a few weeks ago, we listened to everything they said.

It's a big and exciting club. We have informed FC Bayern that we've held talks with Madrid."

Lewandowski himself added:

"Contracts are not a holy relic in football. You can like this attitude or not but it's the truth. Sometimes you have to think about if it is meaningful to try out a new impulse."

Reports in Germany suggest that Zinedine Zidane's side,who face Atletico Madrid in Saturday's Champions League final, are ready to offer Lewandowski a six-year-contract worth up to €25 million a year.

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Reinartz retires at 27 due to injuries

Bongarts

Eintracht Frankfurt defender Stefan Reinartz has retired from football at the age of 27, citing a spate of injuries as the cause.

The former Bayer Leverkusen player confirmed in a statement that after enduring another injury-disrupted campaign he is stepping away from playing.

Reinartz started just 14 games in the Bundesliga for Frankfurt last season, with his final appearance for the team, who secured Bundesliga survival thanks to a play-off win against Nurnberg, coming in March.

"My past three years as a footballer were marked by many injuries and thereby also of disappointment," Reinartz said. 

"The finitude of a football career was always clear to me. I was made aware that my physical wear accelerated after seven and a half years in professional football."

Reinartz, who won three caps for Germany, added that the decision was "very difficult", but he intends to continue working in football.

"The whole thing is very difficult for me," he said. "I am aware that I will be without many things and yet the decision feels to be correct. I'll definitely stay connected to football."

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Kramaric leaves Leicester for Hoffenheim permanently

Andrej Kramaric has left Premier League champions Leicester City to sign a permanent deal with Hoffenheim.

Croatia striker Kramaric played the second half of last season on loan at the Rhein Neckar Arena, as his Leicester colleagues stormed to an astonishing title triumph, scoring five goals in 15 games to help preserve Hoffe's Bundesliga status.

He has now penned a four-year contract with the German club, as head coach Julian Nagelsmann plots a course through next season in the wake of star man Kevin Volland's departure to Bayer Leverkusen.

"I am pleased with the development of the team, and I enjoy it here," Kramaric told Hoffenheim's official website.

"The team showed a lot of trust in me, which helped me show my skills quickly."

Leicester fought off interest from Chelsea to sign Kramaric from Rijeka for a club-record fee in January 2015, but he departs the King Power Stadium with just four goals to his name in 20 games.

Kramaric will now turn his attentions to nailing down a spot in Croatia's final Euro 2016 squad, having been named among five strikers in Ante Cacic's 27-man provisional squad.

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Thiago pledges future to Bayern

Thiago Alcantara has reiterated his desire to stay at Bayern Munich, despite continued speculation that Pep Guardiola wants to take him to Manchester City.

Guardiola signed Thiago for Bayern from Barcelona when he arrived at the Allianz Arena in 2013, and reports have indicated that he is keen to have the 25-year-old playmaker on board at his new club in the Premier League.

Thiago denied that he wanted to leave the Bundesliga champions earlier this year, and has once again pledged his immediate future to the club on social media.

In a post on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, Thiago wrote: "Thanks for your support!!! See you next season, @FCBayern family! #MiaSanMia."   Thiago becomes the second player this week to publicly declare their loyalty to Bayern, after Mario Gotze - who had been heavily linked with Liverpool and his former club Borussia Dortmund - doing the same on Monday.

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Thiago pledges future to Bayern

Thiago Alcantara has reiterated his desire to stay at Bayern Munich, despite continued speculation that Pep Guardiola wants to take him to Manchester City.

Guardiola signed Thiago for Bayern from Barcelona when he arrived at the Allianz Arena in 2013, and reports have indicated that he is keen to have the 25-year-old playmaker on board at his new club in the Premier League.

Thiago denied that he wanted to leave the Bundesliga champions earlier this year, and has once again pledged his immediate future to the club on social media.

In a post on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, Thiago wrote: "Thanks for your support!!! See you next season, @FCBayern family! #MiaSanMia."   Thiago becomes the second player this week to publicly declare their loyalty to Bayern, after Mario Gotze - who had been heavily linked with Liverpool and his former club Borussia Dortmund - doing the same on Monday.

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Djourou compares Xhaka to Pirlo

New Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka has been compared to Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo by former club defender Johan Djourou.

Arsenal completed the signing of Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be worth £30million, on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Switzerland international starred in Bundesliga, making 141 appearances for Gladbach after arriving from Basel in 2012.

And ex-Arsenal defender Djourou - now playing for Hamburg in Germany - likened his countryman to two-time Champions League winner and 2006 World Cup victor Pirlo, who plies his trade with New York City in MLS.

"Granit is a great ball player," Djourou told the Mirror. "The guy has a magical left foot. He can ping the ball all over the place. He is a strong tackler - he is very hard going into tackles - and overall he is a very, very, very good player.

"He can see a pass. He can tackle, he can assist. I would say, if I am being honest, there is a little bit of a Pirlo about him, just in terms of the precision that he plays the ball with. Granit can play those types of ball.

"He can come and get the ball and ping it 40 yards onto your feet. He is that kind of player, but with more physicality to his game.

"It is hard to give a perfect description but I would say he has a bit of Pirlo about him."

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Djourou compares Xhaka to Pirlo

New Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka has been compared to Italian maestro Andrea Pirlo by former club defender Johan Djourou.

Arsenal completed the signing of Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be worth £30million, on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old Switzerland international starred in Bundesliga, making 141 appearances for Gladbach after arriving from Basel in 2012.

And ex-Arsenal defender Djourou - now playing for Hamburg in Germany - likened his countryman to two-time Champions League winner and 2006 World Cup victor Pirlo, who plies his trade with New York City in MLS.

"Granit is a great ball player," Djourou told the Mirror. "The guy has a magical left foot. He can ping the ball all over the place. He is a strong tackler - he is very hard going into tackles - and overall he is a very, very, very good player.

"He can see a pass. He can tackle, he can assist. I would say, if I am being honest, there is a little bit of a Pirlo about him, just in terms of the precision that he plays the ball with. Granit can play those types of ball.

"He can come and get the ball and ping it 40 yards onto your feet. He is that kind of player, but with more physicality to his game.

"It is hard to give a perfect description but I would say he has a bit of Pirlo about him."

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Gotze warned he will not be first choice under Ancelotti

Mario Gotze could remain a bit-part player at Bayern Munich if he wishes to be a part of the squad under Carlo Ancelotti, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has warned.

Gotze committed his immediate future to Bayern this week, in the face of intense speculation that Jurgen Klopp is hoping to reunite with the former Borussia Dortmund star at Liverpool.

The Germany playmaker has linked up with his international team-mates as the World Cup champions look to repeat the trick at Euro 2016.

However, Gotze, who made just 14 Bundesliga appearances under Pep Guardiola in an injury-hit 2015-16, may wish to rethink his stance at club level when the tournament is over, with Ancelotti not appearing to view him as a key player.

"I had talks with him and Ancelotti," Rummenigge told Kicker. "Mario knows the thoughts of Bayern. Everything was clearly and seriously explained to Mario.

"He knows what the club thinks and what the new coach thinks. Mario has to evaluate for himself whether he wants to play constantly."

Gotze's Bayern contract expires at the end of next season, with the Bundesliga champions reportedly valuing him around the EUR20million mark.

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Lahm eyes Champions League glory with Ancelotti

Philipp Lahm has set his sights on crowning his career with a second Champions League title, and hopes new Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti is the man to deliver it.

Lahm captained Bayern to European glory in 2013, but the Bavarian giants fell short in three consecutive semi-finals under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, who is joining Manchester City from next season.

Ancelotti - a three-time winner of the Champions League as a coach - steps into Guardiola's shoes at the Allianz Arena, and Lahm has high hopes for his tenure.

"I would like to win the Champions League again," Lahm told the club's official website. "But if it does not happen, I cannot change it - I will always look back on a career that has just been fun.

"I really had a good time, but I still have a little bit left!  Ancelotti is an experienced coach, a top international coach, who has won the Champions League on a number of occasions.

"I've already had many top international coaches, and now I've got another one. This is a beautiful thing.

"For me, towards the end of my career, this is an absolute highlight."

Despite Guardiola's shortcomings in the Champions League, Lahm insisted the Spaniard had taken Bayern to new heights.

Lahm continued: "He's taken us to another level in terms of tactics. We've lined up with a back three, a back four, a back five and did so well against Juventus in the Champions League last 16 without any recognised centre-backs. 

"He has won three German championship titles in a row. That's not to be taken for granted either."

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Lahm eyes Champions League glory with Ancelotti

Philipp Lahm has set his sights on crowning his career with a second Champions League title, and hopes new Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti is the man to deliver it.

Lahm captained Bayern to European glory in 2013, but the Bavarian giants fell short in three consecutive semi-finals under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, who is joining Manchester City from next season.

Ancelotti - a three-time winner of the Champions League as a coach - steps into Guardiola's shoes at the Allianz Arena, and Lahm has high hopes for his tenure.

"I would like to win the Champions League again," Lahm told the club's official website. "But if it does not happen, I cannot change it - I will always look back on a career that has just been fun.

"I really had a good time, but I still have a little bit left!  Ancelotti is an experienced coach, a top international coach, who has won the Champions League on a number of occasions.

"I've already had many top international coaches, and now I've got another one. This is a beautiful thing.

"For me, towards the end of my career, this is an absolute highlight."

Despite Guardiola's shortcomings in the Champions League, Lahm insisted the Spaniard had taken Bayern to new heights.

Lahm continued: "He's taken us to another level in terms of tactics. We've lined up with a back three, a back four, a back five and did so well against Juventus in the Champions League last 16 without any recognised centre-backs. 

"He has won three German championship titles in a row. That's not to be taken for granted either."

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Aggressive Premier League better for me - Xhaka

Granit Xhaka believes the aggressive nature of the Premier League will suit his game after he signed for Arsenal on a long-term deal.

The Switzerland midfielder's move from Borussia Monchengladbach was confirmed on Wednesday.

Arsenal are thought to have a paid a fee in the region of £30million to secure the 23-year-old's services.

And, having captained Gladbach during his time in the Bundesliga, Xhaka says he will bring leadership as well as bite to the midfield of an Arsenal team that finished second behind champions Leicester City in the Premier League this season.

"I like to play football. I'm an aggressive player and also a leader. I'm only 23 but I captained a good team in Germany," Xhaka told Arsenal Player.

"In Germany you can play aggressively but the referee will always blow his whistle, but in England that's not the case. That's better for me.

"I like the way Arsenal play football. It's not like other countries but it's very, very nice here."

Manager Arsene Wenger came in for heavy criticism from large sections of Arsenal supporters frustrated by the team's inability to take advantage of poor seasons by the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea and win a first league title since 2004.

But asked if he feels Arsenal are on the cusp of great things, Xhaka replied: "Of course. I've looked at Arsenal before, every weekend, and I know they are a big club.

"This year they finished second and that was a very good season."

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360 BREAKING NEWS: Xhaka agrees Arsenal move

Granit Xhaka has agreed to join Arsenal on a long-term deal from Borussia Monchengladbach, the Premier League club have confirmed.

Xhaka captained Gladbach as they secured qualification for next season's Champions League through a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga.  

The 23-year-old has been included in Switzerland's preliminary squad for Euro 2016 and following the completion of the competition, he will link-up with his new team-mates in London.

In a statement, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said: "Granit Xhaka is an exciting young player, already with good Champions League and Bundesliga experience.

"We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who will add quality to our squad. 

"We wish Granit a good Euro 2016 with Switzerland and look forward to welcoming him to Arsenal ahead of next season."

Xhaka made 141 appearances for Gladbach after joining from Basel in 2012, but the club's sporting director Max Eberl believes the undisclosed fee received will help them strengthen.

He said: "We are losing a very, very good player, but we will be able to continue to build a strong team going forward with the transfer fee. 

"We thank Granit for his loyalty to Borussia in the last four years and wish him well at his new club in London."

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