简体中文
For years it has been the big dream of Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness to develop the Bavarian club into what he considers an FC "German Munich" containing as many German internationals as possible. Now, the 2013 treble-winning side is about to announce an important deal.
According to several media reports, 22-year-old Schalke 04 midfielder Leon Goretzka is expected to join the 2017 German champions next summer, despite offers from FC Barcelona, Juventus Turin, and FC Liverpool.
Both leading German sports and football magazines such as "Kicker" and "Sports Bild" have reported that Goretzka accepted Bayern's offer.
"He is a smart and intelligent fellow who knows exactly what is the best next step for him," 72-year-old Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said. "His latest development is impressive. He is a great footballer and character; I like him a lot."
Goretzka is regarded to be a further vital piece in Bayern's attempt to restructure and rejuvenate its overaged squad.
After Goretzka, German international Serge Gnabry is rumoured to join the side next summer after Bayern recently signed 30-year-old German international Sandro Wagner from TSG Hoffenheim. Gnabry is still on loan at Hoffenheim until summer, while Wagner already joined the team for the current winter training camp in Qatar in advance of the second half of the 2017/2018 Bundesliga season. Bayern will meet Bayer Leverkusen next week Friday in the opening game of the year.
According to media reports, right back and German international Joshua Kimmich is ready to extend his contract with Bayern until 2023, while the club is considering signing Paris St Germain striker and German international Julian Draxler. The 24-year-old has been on Bayern's watch list for some time after he complained about not getting enough playing minutes in Paris.
21-year-old French striker Kingsley Coman recently extended his contract until 2023. Goretzka, Gnabry, Coman are set to succeed the team's "golden-aged" squad including Franck Ribery (34), Arjen Robben (33) and Arturo Vidal (30).
To enforce his plans, Hoeness announced the club is considering investing up to 70 million euro for a player "as soon as we can, so as to improve the team's quality regarding important positions."
The club's leaders are also looking for a solution regarding coaching staff. Heynckes announced that he would leave after his mission is accomplished in this summer, despite receiving an offer to stay on until 2019.
Possible successors of Heynckes such as Julian Nagelsmann (Hoffenheim), Ralph Hasenhuettl (RB Leipzig), Nico Kovac (Eintracht Frankfurt) and German national coach Joachim Loew are not available this summer. Juergen Klopp's (FC Liverpool) management denied any contact with the German side.
Football magazine "Kicker" is reporting that Bayern leadership plans to convince Heynckes to reconsider.
According to insiders, Hoeness and the club's head of board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge want an experienced coach to do the difficult job of restructuring the squad. Only Klopp and Heynckes boast enough international experience to lead the team under these circumstances.
Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic told German media that a decision concerning the coach would be made within the next month. "We will find a satisfying solution; there is no reason to hurry," Salihamidzic said. "For now, we concentrate on a good start after the winter break and face the international challenges waiting for us," the former striker said.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
