Borussia Dortmund will take an open-minded approach to Ilkay Gundogan's future, sporting director Michael Zorc has told kicker, amid sug...
Borussia Dortmund will take an open-minded approach to Ilkay Gundogan's future, sporting director Michael Zorc has told kicker, amid suggestions the Germany midfielder could sign a new contract.
Gundogan appeared likely to leave Dortmund this summer after turning down an extension to his current deal, which is due to expire in 2016, and has been linked with clubs including Barcelona,
Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
However, Barca, said to be the player's preferred destination, cannot field any new signings until January as a result of the club's transfer ban, and BVB have apparently yet to receive any offers that meet their €20 million valuation.
It has been reported that the 24-year-old could now be considering penning a one-year extension to his current deal that would tie him to Dortmund until 2017 and, while Zorc did not comment directly on that speculation, he said BVB were planning to hold "open and unbiased" talks with the player.
Gundogan had last week used his Facebook account to play down reports his €10 million annual salary demands had ended Bayern and Barcelona's interest, calling the figures "dubious," and said his future would be decided later in the summer.
Zorc was more forthright on the future of Dortmund defender Matthias Ginter, saying the Germany international will not be allowed to join Borussia Monchengladbach.
Gladbach were reported to be willing to pay €10 million for the 21-year-old, who started only nine Bundesliga games for BVB last season after arriving from Freiburg last summer, but Zorc told kicker: "They were eagerly interested, but we never had any intention of letting him go."
Ginter said after playing for Germany's under-21 side in their 1-1 draw with Serbia on Wednesday: "I knew since Tuesday that the transfer will not happen. I have always said that Dortmund is the club of my heart."
Dortmund have spent a reported €17 million so far this summer on deals for Gonzalo Castro, Julian Weigl and Roman Burki but have yet raise any money through sales.
With the club having missed out on next season's Champions League, they are planning to reign in their spending ahead of Thomas Tuchel's first season in charge, with Zorc saying: "It is our target to spend no more than we earn this summer."
Dortmund could raise money through the sale of forward Ciro Immobile, who has said he is willing to consider a return to Italy after a disappointing debut campaign at the Westfalenstadion, while sources have told ESPN FC that Mats Hummels remains a target for Manchester United despite Zorc saying last month that the centre-back will stay.
Long-serving BVB goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller is also expected to leave following the arrival of Switzerland international Burki from Freiburg.
Bild has reported that the 34-year-old is a target for Stuttgart -- who are looking for goalkeepers after seeing Sven Ulreich join Bayern -- along with Tottenham and Valencia.
Weidenfeller said earlier this week that he was planning talks with Dortmund to determine whether he has a future at the club.
Source : ESPN FC
