Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund forward Mario Gotze has revealed he still talks to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp regularly and hinted he could move to Anfield to seek a new challenge. 

Speaking to Bild (h/t Goal's Chris Burton), Gotze explained how he spoke to Klopp in 2016 before completing a move back to Dortmund from Bayern Munich.

Liverpool were said to be interested in his services at the time, and the two haven't stopped talking since:

"He [Klopp] knew that I wanted to leave Bayern. Of course, we talked. He knows me very well and that I am always looking for new challenges. I often speak to Klopp. He brought me to the first team when I was 17 and he made it all possible. We never stopped talking."

He also discussed working under Klopp and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, saying it's hard to compare the two:

"They are difficult to compare because they pursue different philosophies. The fact is that both are extremely successful.

"I am grateful to have worked with two such outstanding coaches. I watch the games of both teams as often as possible, the title fight in the Premier League is extremely exciting."

Per Burton, his current contract is set to expire in 2020, at which point he could complete a free transfer to another club.

Gotze played the best football of his career under Klopp, emerging as a star prospect and later a Bundesliga stud at the Signal Iduna Park.

Here's a look at some of his career highlights in Germany:

With Klopp coaching him, Gotze was a dynamic attacking midfielder with tremendous range and vision, as well as an eye for goal. German giants Bayern triggered his release clause ahead of the 2013-14 season, where he gained more experience playing further up the pitch, occasionally as a false nine.

The summer of 2014 saw his greatest professional success when he scored the winning goal at the World Cup, but injuries soon started to halt his momentum. It would ultimately lead to a return to Dortmund in 2016, where a muscular disease further threatened his career.

Now 26, Gotze has rediscovered some of his old magic, scoring four goals and six assists in the Bundesliga this season. He's been a regular for BVB the last two months, helping the team in the race for the title.

As a free agent in 2020, he could present an intriguing value pickup. While the hype surrounding Gotze has died down significantly, there's no denying how good he was under Klopp; if the tactician worked with him again, he could perhaps unlock that potential.

At the very least he would add valuable depth at a relatively minimal cost if no transfer fee is necessary.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel has spoken about team-mate Jadon Sancho's considerable potential, which he believes could put him among the best in his position.

In an interview with Copa90, the Belgium international was asked for his take on young English players moving to the Bundesliga, with Sancho cited as an example:

Per Goal, Witsel said:

"It's good because he's getting a chance here in Germany.

"English players used to stay in England but what Jadon is doing now is amazing.

"He has a lot of quality, I think he can be one of the top wingers in the world if he keeps working hard and listens to us a little bit!"

Sancho has played an important role in Dortmund's Bundesliga title challenge this season.

On Saturday, the 19-year-old contributed an assist as BVB beat Wolfsburg 2-0 in dramatic fashion to move two points in front of Bayern Munich in the title race:

It was far from the first time Sancho has shown his creativity this season:

As a result of his impressive efforts at such a young age, Sancho is now the most valuable player in the Bundesliga, according to the International Centre for Sports Studies:

The winger's form has also earned him call-ups to England's senior setup this season.

He made his first competitive start for the Three Lions in their UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Czech Republic in March, and he already looks like he'll be a regular fixture in the side under manager Gareth Southgate:

It's still early in Sancho's career, but he's already producing a consistent end product, something that often takes time for young players to achieve.

Playing in Dortmund also means there's not quite as intense a spotlight on him as there would be in the Premier League, which will do his development no harm.

If Sancho continues to improve his game in the coming years, Witsel may well prove correct in his assessment.

Bayern Munich will end the 2018-19 campaign by playing a friendly in Beijing against the Chinese national team on May 29.

The club announced the news on Twitter:

The friendly will take place at the Beijing National Stadium as part of the Allianz China Cup, 11 days after the conclusion of the Bundesliga season.

According to a club statement, it will mark Bayern's fourth visit to China, with the German side continuing to invest in the massive market.

The Bundesliga champions have already visited Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing and have a football school in Qingdao, with two more to come.

The Bavarians also recently announced a partnership with the Industrial Bank of China, so the trip to Beijing likely isn't a coincidence:

Club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commented on the future friendly:

"Allianz and FC Bayern are linked by long-standing collaboration on an international level. Our club has been active in China for many years and supports the development of football there through numerous initiatives. We very much welcome the commitment of our partner Allianz and are pleased that together, we can support the continued footballing exchange between Germany and China."

This year's UEFA Champions League final will take place on June 1 in Madrid, and once Bayern were knocked out of the tournament by Liverpool, the date for the friendly in China opened up.

Bayern's main focus is on the Bundesliga, where they chase Borussia Dortmund by two points. The two clubs will meet on Saturday.

Before then, the Bavarians will play in the DFB Pokal quarter-finals, hosting Heidenheim on Wednesday.

Manager Niko Kovac implored his players to focus on the task at hand and not look ahead at the crucial Bundesliga clash on Saturday:

The Bundesliga campaign will end on May 18, when Bayern play host to Eintracht Frankfurt. They'll visit RB Leipzig the week prior in a tricky run of matches.  

Borussia Dortmund have announced Achraf Hakimi's season has come to an end, as the young defender has been diagnosed with a broken metatarsal.

DW Sports translated Dortmund's announcement on Twitter:

The 20-year-old lasted just 25 minutes against Wolfsburg before limping to the sidelines. He has already returned to Madrid for surgery.

As Goal's Ronan Murphy shared, the Real Madrid loanee was a major part of the team's strong first half of the season:

Hakimi was thrown in at the deep end in the Spanish capital during the 2017-18 campaign, as a series of injuries forced him into the starting XI before he was ready. The academy product struggled, and a loan seemed inevitable once Los Blancos announced the transfer of the more experienced Alvaro Odriozola.

The temporary exit has proved the right move, as the Morocco international has blossomed in Germany.

He was an instant hit in the Bundesliga, winning the Rookie of the Month award in September:

He went on to win the award again in November, firmly establishing himself as a key player for Die Schwarzgelben.

Hakimi's strong play has continued since, leading to 19 starts in the Bundesliga. Capable of playing as a left-back and right-back, his versatility is one of the main reasons why he has been such a presence in the team.

Dortmund lead the Bundesliga standings by two points, as the title race seems set to go down to the wire. Bayern Munich, who have dominated the competition in recent years, have bounced back from a poor spell before the winter break and will be BVB's next opponents on Saturday.

Losing Hakimi for that contest and the rest of the season is a major blow for Dortmund, who are already light in defence. Abdou Diallo, another young breakout star, also picked up a knock against Wolfsburg and is likely to be out for Saturday's match. Hakimi was his replacement against Die Wolfe.  

Lille President Gerard Lopez has said the club will not listen to offers for Nicolas Pepe until May.

The forward has enjoyed a stellar campaign and has been linked with a number of sides, including German champions Bayern Munich.

Speaking about interest in Pepe and other players at the club, Lopez said there will be no negotiations regarding their stars until the end of the 2018-19 season, per La Voix du Nord (h/t Goal).

"We decided not to talk—be it with clubs or consultants," he said. "There will be silence until mid-May. We have put the dressing room in a bubble and will expand that to the whole club. There are approaches to several players, not just Nicolas."

As Goal reported, Pepe's team-mate Rafael Leao has been linked with a move to Everton.

Pepe was also asked about his future recently and told Canal+ there has yet to be any talks with Bayern despite the speculation (h/t Goal).

"When the moment has come, I will make my decision," the forward said. "Whether there was contact with the Bayern? Certainly not with me. My advisors take care of the affairs, I'm focused on the exciting end of the season. I have no preference, look at all championships. Staying in Lille or going elsewhere is the same for me."

It appears inevitable that some elite sides will move for the Ivory Coast forward, as he's been one of the star men in Ligue 1 this season. Pepe's goals have helped Lille push into second in the French top flight, having been embroiled in a relegation battle for much of the previous term.

As Scouted Football relayed, Pepe has been as productive as some of European football's established stars this term:

WhoScored.com highlighted how often his contributions have been decisive for Lille too:

Pepe can play through the middle, but has proved to be most dangerous when darting infield from the right flank. On his left foot, he is capable of firing shots off at goal, getting into optimal positions in the penalty area and, as his haul of 17 Ligue 1 goals this season shows, finishing with composure.

Given Bayern wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are in the twilights of their respective careers, he would be a savvy addition.

However, it's unlikely the 23-year-old will come cheap. According to beIN Sports (h/t Sport), the German giants have already lodged an €80 million offer (£69 million) offer for the player. Barcelona are also said to be interested.

Borussia Dortmund star Christian Pulisic is set to miss between three and four weeks due to a tear in his right thigh muscle.

ESPN said on Thursday the issue the playmaker accrued in the United States' 1-1 draw with Chile on Tuesday is likely to sideline him for as much as a month.

Having left the match early after scoring for the U.S. men's national team, Pulisic returned to Dortmund, and his club manager Lucien Favre provided an assessment on his condition ahead of the match against Wolfsburg on Saturday.

"Pulisic sadly is injured," he said, per ESPN FC. "He will definitely not play."

With Pulisic set for a sustained spell on the sidelines, he may be absent for BVB's crucial clash with Bayern Munich on April 6.

Dortmund and Bayern are currently involved in a gripping title race in the Bundesliga, with the two deadlocked on points and the latter in front on goal difference.

The injury in the 1-1 draw against Chile blemished what should have been a landmark night for Pulisic, as he scored his 10th goal for the national team: 

Pulisic has agreed to join Chelsea at the end of the season for a reported £58 million, and with that move in mind, football writer Lars Pollmann said this injury may mean we've seen Pulisic in the yellow and black of Dortmund for the final time:

While the USMNT star will be disappointed to be sitting out such an important part of the season, his absence doesn't represent an enormous blow for the Dortmund team.

In 2018-19, Pulisic has found it tough to nail down a regular spot in the starting XI at the Westfalenstadion. The 20-year-old has only started six games for Dortmund in the German top flight, with his other nine appearances coming off the bench.

Athletic Bilbao president Aitor Elizegi is confident the club can afford to re-sign Javi Martinez from Bayern Munich. 

The 30-year-old left Athletic for Bayern in 2012 in a €40 million deal, and Elizegi said they can bring him back for half the price.

He told Mundo Deportivo (h/t Goal's Chris Burton): "Athletic can easily raise €20 million for Javi Martinez, and we have the capacity to pay the price. So from an economic point of view, that would not be a problem."

Martinez seems to be receptive to a move, as he told Kicker (h/t Burton): "Bilbao is a paradise. I have many friends there, and I cannot deny that I will one day return there."

Athletic's policy of only signing players from the Basque region means they have a limited pool of players to choose from.

As such, it's of little surprise they're looking to bring back their former players, particularly in the case of Martinez, who is among the best the region has produced in recent years.

Martinez typically sits in front of the back four and excels at using his strength and physicality to break up opposing counter-attacks.

He did just that in Bayern's 0-0 draw at Liverpool in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League:

Though Munich lost 3-1 to the Reds on home soil, football statistician Dave O'Brien picked out Martinez as a key player for the return leg: 

Football writer Jack Lang is an admirer of the Spaniard's work rate:

He's a versatile operator, too, as he's similarly comfortable playing as a centre-back.

Martinez has won all there is to win at Bayern, including six Bundesliga titles, three DFB-Pokals and the UEFA Champions League, so there wouldn't be any unfinished business if he were to leave.

He'll be 31 this year, too, and often has to deal with niggling injuries, so the Bavarian outfit could be tempted to cash in on him.

Lucas Hernandez will swap Atletico Madrid for Bayern Munich this summer after the Bundesliga club announced the agreement of a five-year contract with the France international on Wednesday:

The 23-year-old is thought to have cost Bayern as much as £68 million:

It means Bayern have broken a club record to sign a full-back, albeit a gifted one who already boasts trophy-winning pedigree at both club and international level.

Hernandez helped France win the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia last summer. He'd already lifted the UEFA Europa League with Atleti in May the same year.

The Frenchman is excited to start his journey with another European superpower, but Bayern have already identified a potential fitness issue, according to Goal's Ronan Murphy:

A versatile defender, Hernandez is able to operate at both left-back and centre-back. His imminent arrival will not only lend Die Roten more flexibility at the back, but it will also likely fuel further speculation about the future of David Alaba.

The Austria international also plays left-back and can slot into the middle if needed. Yet Alaba recently admitted he could ply his trade elsewhere, per Bild (h/t Jeorge Bird of MailOnline): "I'm happy in Munich but of course I can imagine seeing something else [in the future]."

Alaba named La Liga giants Barcelona as a possible destination, and France Football (h/t Sport) has reported the Blaugrana are considering the 26-year-old.

Bayern might be prepared to cut ties if it means recouping some of the outlay dedicated toward signing Hernandez.

The club is refreshing its ranks at the back at a necessary time. Juan Bernat joined Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, while Rafinha is 33. Options are thin at full-back, while Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng have arguably seen their best days in the middle.

The central theme of Bayern's defensive reshuffle is to acquire the best French talent. Hernandez's international teammate, Benjamin Pavard, is also on his way to the AllianzArena this summer.

While Bayern renovate the back four, Atletico continue to turn healthy profits for players. Hernandez has been on the books since he was 11, and his departure may not be the only notable exit the Madrid club sanctions:

Atletico have developed a knack for replacing key players, and manager Diego Simeone now has the makings of an impressive war chest ahead of the summer window. 

Bayern Munich's David Alaba has said that while he's "happy" with the Bavarian club, he would be open to a move to the Premier League or La Liga. 

Alaba has two years remaining on his contract in Germany, where he's spent his entire senior career since departing Austria Vienna as a youngster in 2008.

"I can imagine trying something else, but I really feel very comfortable at Bayern," he told Bild (h/t MailOnline's Jeorge Bird). "Every year there are new challenges and new objectives, and the pressure will always be there. I'm happy in Munich, but of course I can imagine seeing something else [in the future]."

Asked where he might consider going, he added: "Spain, England. In Spain it would be the two big clubs, I guess? Real [Madrid] or Barcelona. Also the big clubs [in England]."

Arsenal fans could be excited to learn he's also a supporter of the Gunners: "Yes I was [an Arsenal fan as a child]. When you've been [an] Arsenal fan as a kid you will be one your whole life in some way."

He'd be a valuable asset to any of the top clubs in either league.

It was clear Alaba was a special talent from a young age, when he excelled in a successful loan spell with Hoffenheim:

Now 26, he's a fine athlete and a complete player, and one of his biggest strengths is his versatility.

Although he ostensibly plays as a left-back he has spent plenty of time playing in central defence or midfield with Bayern and has been comfortable in whatever role he's been deployed.

Despite having to overcome several significant injuries early in his career, he recently reached an impressive milestone for Bayern:

His record now sits at 335 appearances, and he has contributed 28 goals and 44 assists in that time.

Many of his goals come from free-kicks, but he's also a threat from open play, too (UK only):

His discipline is impressive, too. In his entire Bayern career, he has picked up just 14 yellow cards, an average of less than two per season across the eight campaigns he's enjoyed as a first-team player.

Alaba is four years younger than Real's Marcelo or Barcelona's Jordi Alba, and for most of the top Premier League sides he'd be an upgrade on their current options.

With his deal expiring in 2021, clubs may be able to take advantage of his contract situation and pursue him as it winds down and lowers his value.

Even if he'd be an expensive purchase, he'd be a worthwhile buy.

Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches is considering leaving the club because he's not happy with the game time he's getting. 

The 21-year-old has made just 21 appearances this season, averaging only 34 minutes on the pitch per outing.

He told German outlet Kicker (h/t Goal): "I'm not happy here, I work a lot, but I'm not allowed to play. I want to play more, maybe at a different club, I have to worry about that."

Amid interest in him from Paris Saint-Germain in January, Bayern boss Niko Kovac said he was happy with Sanches, per Goal's Ronan Murphy and Scouted Football:

He has made just five substitute appearances since then, though, totalling 50 minutes of playing time.

It was something of a surprise to see him brought on with Bayern trailing against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League:

The youngster was unable to make an impact, though, and Bayern ultimately lost 3-1.

He was also given a two-minute run-out in the first leg of the last-16 tie at Anfield, but football journalist Sam Cunningham suggested at the time the Reds would not be intimidated by his introduction:

Bayern signed him as an 18-year-old back in 2016, splashing out an initial €35 million to prise him away from Benfica, with add-ons that could potentially see his cost total €80 million.

Sanches won the Golden Boy award that year and was also named Young Player of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2016 after helping Portugal lift the trophy in France.

He made just nine starts in his debut campaign with Bayern, though, and was loaned out to Swansea City last season, but form and fitness issues limited him to just 15 appearances as the Swans were relegated from the Premier League.

When Sanches burst onto the scene with Benfica, he seemed to have it all—technique, physicality, dynamism and tenacity.

His lack of game time in recent years has stalled his development, though, and his situation at Bayern does not seem promising.

A fresh start elsewhere—at a club more stable than Swansea, who made their fourth managerial change in 15 months while Sanches was there—could help him get his career back on track.