Bundesliga

Borussia Dortmund wouldn't block Jadon Sancho's path if the gifted forward wanted to leave, according to club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.

He addressed Sancho's future during an interview with RMC Sport (h/t Get French Football News):

"Jadon is a great, great talent, maybe the greatest talent in Europe currently of players under the age of 21. In my opinion, he has the potential to become one of the two or three best players in the world in the years to come. We are going to do our best to hold on to him for as long as possible. We have a very good relationship with him. But if one day he comes to us and says that he wants to leave the club, then we'll discuss it. But that is not our primary option. The primary option is to keep him for as long as possible."

Sancho moving would rob Dortmund of arguably the team's most talented presence in the final third. Yet there is no doubt the 19-year-old will continue to attract attention from clubs across Europe thanks to his stellar performances.

He has excelled since swapping life in the Manchester City academy for the Bundesliga in 2017. The teenager was acquired for a mere £8 million, a true bargain that once again underlined the astute nature and effectiveness of Dortmund's recruitment practices.

Sancho's form this season has translated into 17 goals and as many assists to help Dortmund to second domestically and into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. The numbers are the result of natural flair, close control, skill and a coolness in front of goal that belie Sancho's years.

Sancho has firmly established himself as the key man in a Dortmund forward line also populated by other match-winners, including striker Erling Haaland. Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt provide artistry from wide areas, while Marco Reus remains a talisman when fit.

Even so, it's Sancho who is being linked with the big-money moves this summer. Premier League giants are reportedly ready to come calling, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool all in the frame, according to TalkSport's Billy Hawkins.

Sancho would be an asset for any member of the trio, while Dortmund would get to make a significant profit on their original investment. Bild (h/t MailOnline's James Gant) reported the England international's price tag would be upwards of £120 million.

Stumping up the fee won't be the only challenge facing keen suitors, though. Interested clubs would also have to meet personal terms believed to be in excess of £200,000 per week, according to Mike McGrath of the Telegraph.

The cost of a deal may seem prohibitive, but few young players are proving themselves at the top level of European competition as well as Sancho. Dortmund's model relies on developing stars and cashing in, so any club ready to meet these demands will likely be able to tempt Sancho into accelerating the next step in his career development.  

Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has called Manuel Neuer "by far the best goalkeeper in the world" and said he'll remain No. 1 even after Alexander Nubel joins the club this summer.

Die Roten announced in January that highly touted Nubel will sign a five-year contract at the Allianz Arena when his Schalke deal expires in June, leading to speculation over who will be Bayern's first choice in goal.

Flick answered that question when he told Sport Bild (h/t Goal's Liam Blackburn): "Everyone knows what I think of Manuel. He is by far the best goalkeeper in the world, I have no doubts about that. Therefore, there is no alternative for me. Manuel leads the team; it gives him the necessary security. We have a clear hierarchy with the goalkeepers. It will be the same next year."

Neuer, 33, has a little less than 18 months remaining on his current contract with Bundesliga leaders Bayern, which is due to expire at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Manuel Veth of Forbes wrote in January that Nubel was guaranteed 15 matches per season in order to help lure him to Bavaria, adding Neuer is expected to extend his terms at Bayern.

Commentator Kevin Hatchard expressed concern for the 23-year-old's development after his upcoming transfer was announced, becoming the latest German prospect to join the juggernaut at Bayern:

Neuer appeared calm over his own long-term future at the Allianz when asked about the impact of Nubel's arrival after the deal was confirmed in January, per Goal's Patric Ridge:

"The Nubel transfer is irrelevant for my contract extension. Of course, I determine the requirements [of the contract]. I have the thoughts in my head, but of course I will not reveal them. Nothing comes out of me.

"It's a forward-thinking decision made by the club. Nubel is a top-quality goalkeeper. These factors are very important. It is therefore very important for me how the path with [coach] Hansi Flick continues."

Liam Twomey of The Athletic questioned the transfer management at Schalke, who have lost a series of high-profile and promising players on free transfers in recent years:

Neuer came in for scrutiny near the start of the season after a drop in standards at the Allianz Arena, though he was hardly the only player in the squad who went through a rough patch during that period.

Flick—whose agreement as Bayern boss runs until the end of the season for the time being—has helped Neuer and other senior stars at the club rediscover their previous levels since he took over in November.

Veth agreed with Flick that the Germany No. 1—who has thus far lasted in that position despite the growth of Barcelona-based Marc-Andre ter Stegen—is back to being the standard in his position:

Nubel's arrival could also cast doubt over the future of 20-year-old Christian Fruchtl, a highly promising keeper in his own right who is in his third season with Bayern Munich II, the club's reserve outfit.

Neuer will be 35 at the end of his current contract and clearly has Flick's support in the starting spot, leaving Nubel in doubt as to when he'll get his chance to officially take over the reins.

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke believes the pressure is on Paris Saint-Germain to progress from the UEFA Champions League last-16 showdown between the two teams, despite the Bundesliga side taking an advantage into the second leg.

The two teams will go head-to-head again on Wednesday in Paris, with Erling Haaland's brace in the first leg giving BVB a 2-1 lead at the halfway point in the tie. Neymar equalised for PSG on the night, meaning Thomas Tuchel's team at least have an away goal to show for their efforts.

Speaking ahead of the match, Watzke said he thinks Dortmund can approach the game with more freedom than their opponents, for whom expectations are much higher in the Champions League, per Footissime on RMC Sport (h/t Get French Football News):

"It is clear, PSG have much bigger financial means that Borussia Dortmund. I should have perhaps said that the state of Qatar has more means than Borussia Dortmund. And I know that their biggest dream is to win the Champions League. 

"For us, it would be super to get into the quarter-finals, but we do not have the same level of pressure as PSG. … The pressure will not be on our shoulders, but instead on PSG's shoulders. They have incredible attacking power, with five world-class players. That is why this tie still sits at 50-50."

It's been confirmed PSG will not have their raucous home crowd backing them on Wednesday, with the match set to be played behind closed doors because of the spread of the coronavirus. 

Get French Football News provided more details on who will be in attendance inside and outside the Parc des Princes:

The first leg was a memorable one between two attack-minded sides; amid a galaxy of goalscoring stars on the pitch at the Westfalenstadion, it was 19-year-old Haaland who seized the headlines:

Overall, Dortmund deserved the advantage, as they were the stronger team on the night. In addition to the predatory instincts of Haaland, the speed of Jadon Sancho and the vertical raids of Achraf Hakimi caused big issues for the Ligue 1 team.

The onus will now be on PSG to respond on home soil. What will concern supporters is the team have frozen at this stage of the Champions League in recent years, suffering exits at the hands of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Typically, these types of encounters are tense affairs, although both PSG and Dortmund are at their best when they attack. Should the match become an end-to-end tussle, the home side should be confident the firepower they have can swing the tie their way.

Bayern Munich interim manager Hansi Flick believes a head coach needs "veto power" when it comes to transfers. 

Flick was appointed as manager earlier in the campaign following the sacking of Niko Kovac, and he has helped turn the team's campaign around. As yet, it's not been confirmed whether he will extend his contract beyond the season or if Bayern will look for a different coach.

Speaking to Bild (h/t Goal), Flick spoke about potential future recruitment and what he considers to be important when constructing a squad:

"Concerning new signings and reinforcements, a coach has to have veto power in my view. It is important to have the right eye for it—and also even the possibility of rejecting proposals."

Under Flick, Bayern have moved into a position of strength at the summit of the German top flight, with their 2-0 win over Augsburg putting them four points clear of Borussia Dortmund in second place:

Like the majority of high-profile European clubs, Bayern have a director of football in place in Hasan Salihamidzic, who oversees the team's transfer business.

Salihamidzic has occupied the position since since July 2017. During that time, he's seen Carlo Ancelotti, Jupp Heynckes, Kovac and Flick all have spells in charge.

The director of football was recently asked about a number of key players at Bayern who have contracts expiring at the end of next season, including Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Javi Martinez, David Alaba and Thiago Alcantara. He said the focus is on the football at the moment, though.

According to Christian Falk of Bild, Flick is already plotting some moves in the summer:

37/45 - Hansi #Flick has scored 37 out of 45 possible points in his first 15 games as a #Bundesliga manager. Pep Guardiola (41) is the only one to achieve more out of his first 15 BL games. Run. #FCBFCA @FCBayernEN pic.twitter.com/Zk9lu2CdIa

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 8, 2020

If he was to be given the job on a full-time basis, it would be deserved, as the former Germany assistant coach has helped reignite Bayern's season. Per OptaFranz, only ex-Bayern boss Pep Guardiola has had a better start to his managerial career in the Bundesliga:

Not only are Bayern in a commanding position in the Bundesliga, they have a 3-0 advantage over Chelsea after the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 first leg.

The summer is poised to be a busy time in terms of transfers for Bayern. Goalkeeper Alex Nubel has already agreed to join from Schalke, while they were strongly linked with a move for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane earlier in the season.

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka said he's unhappy at playing a substitute role in Hansi Flick's side.

The German spoke after he came off the bench to score in Bayern's 2-0 win over Augsburg on Sunday.

Per Goal's Alex Shaw, he said:

"I'm currently in top shape, probably the best shape of my entire career.

"Of course I'm not happy if I don't play from the start. I can say that openly and honestly. I'll have to discuss it.

"[Any discussions] remain private, so I ask for your understanding. I have to accept the decision of the coach."

"You have to suffer in silence and make sure you stay in shape and continue to work on your game. If the chance comes you must take it." 

Goretzka missed the opening months of the campaign with hamstring and ankle injuries.

Since he returned to action in October, he has made 23 appearances in all competitions, 13 of which have been starts.

Goretzka played the final 20 minutes at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, and he doubled the Bavarians' tally late on after a neat passing exchange with Serge Gnabry (U.S. only):

It was the 25-year-old's third consecutive Bundesliga appearance off the bench.

On February 29, he scored the final goal in Bayern's 6-0 win at Hoffenheim:

Goretzka played for just over half an hour in that match, but for the final quarter of an hour, Bayern and Hoffenheim just passed the ball to one another in solidarity after the away fans held up a banner insulting Hoffenheim's owner.

In Munich's 3-0 win over Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League in February, he only got on the pitch for the final minute of the contest.

Football writer George Osborn was impressed with Bayern's strength in depth in that match:

Indeed, the depth and quality in the squad mean Goretzka has plenty of competition for game time.

Thomas Muller typically plays in the No. 10 role or supporting the striker, and he has enjoyed a superb campaign with 10 goals and 19 assists to his name in all competitions.

In central midfield, Thiago Alcantara and Joshua Kimmich are similarly unshakeable.

Nailing down a starting berth will be difficult while the trio are fit, but Goretzka has been producing with five goals and six assists to his name despite his limited minutes.

Back-to-back goals off the bench will have done his case no harm, either, so more significant game time could come his way during the run-in.  

RB Leipzig's sporting director Markus Krosche has played down speculation linking star forward Timo Werner with a switch away from the club in the summer.

Werner is rated as one of the best strikers in European football, having inspired Leipzig's Bundesliga title charge in 2019-20 with his prolific goalscoring. Unsurprisingly, rumours linking him with a number of the continent's most high-profile clubs have followed.

Speaking to Bild (h/t Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror), Krosche said Leipzig have yet to receive any offers for the Germany international and added he's unsure as to why Werner would move anyway:

"There has been nothing at all. But it's normal that Timo gets into the focus of other clubs. He's playing a very, very good season and scores very, very often

"Timo has a long-term contract and there are not many things that favour him leaving us. We play UEFA Champions League, we have a super coaching team and we still want to achieve a lot."

According to Simon Hughes and Raphael Honigstein of The Athletic, Werner would be keen to move to Liverpool in the summer if there was serious interest in him. A transfer could reportedly be completed for the 23-year-old for £51 million if a deal was struck before April.

As Goal's Ronan Murphy relayed, speaking to Sky Sports, the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was coy on possible interest in the striker:

In the report, it's suggested that both Barcelona and Manchester United have also registered their interest in Werner. Hughes provided more details about Werner's future on social media:

The list of illustrious clubs interested in the German is no huge shock, especially after the campaign he's enjoyed under the guidance of manager Julian Nagelsmann.

As Squawka Football relayed recently, not only is Werner finding the back of the net often, he's developing a creative side to his game too:

In the Bundesliga this season, he's been on target an impressive 21 times in total. Although Leipzig have not been at their fluid best lately, they remain in contention for the title, with just three points between themselves and leaders Bayern Munich.

Leipzig are undoubtedly a team moving in the right direction, as they consistently make smart signings in the transfer window and develop players brilliantly. Werner himself has been able to benefit from that process.

However, they have a long way to go before they are talked about in the same bracket as some teams reportedly interested in their star forward. With that in mind, it's easy to see Werner being enticed by the prospect of a move to a European heavyweight come the end of the campaign.

Borussia Dortmund are reportedly set to beat Manchester United to the signature of Birmingham City youngster Jude Bellingham. 

According to ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld, the 16-year-old has long been a source of interest for the Bundesliga outfit, whose training facilities he recently made a visit to, and he has also been linked with the likes of United and Bayern Munich.

Sport Bild (h/t Bundesliga writer Manuel Veth) reported details of his proposed move to BVB:

Dortmund's current record signing is Mats Hummels, whom they re-signed from Bayern last summer for a reported €30.5 million (£26.7 million).

According to Uersfeld, Dortmund are likely to sign him in a similar manner to the way they landed Jadon Sancho from Manchester City in 2018, when they are believed to have paid a training compensation fee of €7 million (£6.1 million).

Uersfeld added that while compensation for Bellingham is likely to exceed the payment for Sancho, it won't be as high as €35 million (£30.6 million).

Constantin Eckner of football analytics company Spielverlagerung believes he'd still be worth it if it was:

Wednesday's FA Cup clash with Leicester City would have provided a good opportunity to see how he fared against Premier League opposition, but manager Pep Clotet is set to rest him, per TalkSport's Tom Ross:

Clotet is a huge admirer of his young charge, though. Clotet said in October: "He can go forward as well, he can defend, he is very complete and despite being only 16 he handles the physicality of the midfield very well."

The teenager has split his time this season between both flanks and central midfield, scoring four goals and assisting three in 34 games in all competitions.

He's made 31 of those appearances in the Championship, starting 24 of them. 

Per WhoScored.com, he has won 72 of the 100 tackles he's attempted and made 31 blocks and 21 interceptions. He has also created 20 chances and completed 32 successful dribbles.

Bayern Munich icon Lothar Matthaus has backed Hansi Flick to take over as the club's manager permanently. Flick is in charge until the end of the season after he replaced Niko Kovac in the dugout in November.

The Germany legend told Sky Sport Germany (h/t Goal's Josh Heycock) of the "peace and unity" at the club since he took charge:

"Nobody complains because they are not allowed to play or because they don't like the training. No one expresses a derogatory manner towards the manager or publicly expresses their frustration. That is all his doing.

"And in all this it should not be forgotten that the Bavarians usually play really beautiful, dominant and winning football. Even Robert Lewandowski can be replaced for a few games.  

"Of course, they may end up not winning the title or drop out of the Champions League, but you can't wait till the end of the season to offer a contract, it must be determined on sporting results, and who would do better than Flick at the moment?"

The 58-year-old added that he "very much" doubts current Paris Saint-Germain and former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel would be a better fit at the Allianz Arena than Flick.

Flick took over after Bayern were thrashed 5-1 by Hoffenheim under Kovac. It was the third defeat Bayern had suffered this season in all competitions, and they had also drawn three of their first 16 matches.

Under the former longtime Germany assistant under Joachim Low, the Bavarians have played 19 games, picking up 16 victories, with their last defeat coming on December 7. During that run, Bayern have scored 64 goals and conceded just 14.

Munich are almost certainly through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after they beat Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their last-16 tie:

As BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty observed in the match, there was a gulf in class between the Bundesliga side and the Premier League outfit:

Former Norway international and Viasport broadcaster Jan Aage Fjortoft reported that advancing to the next round of the Champions League will ensure Flick remains in charge beyond the end of the season:

Bayern are bidding to reach their first Champions League final since they last won the competition in 2013, which was the fifth time they've won it or the European Cup in their history.

In the Bundesliga, Flick is hoping to guide them to their eighth consecutive title. Bayern are three points clear of RB Leipzig and four ahead of Dortmund with 10 matches remaining.

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has said it is flattering for other clubs to be interested in him.

The 19-year-old also praised Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the impact he has had on his career.

Speaking to FourFourTwo (h/t Goal's Chris Burton), Haaland was asked about the interest shown in him by United and Real Madrid.

"It's always nice when clubs are interested," he said. "It means you've done something right."

Haaland scored 20 goals in 50 games while playing under Solskjaer at Molde in their native Norway before the coach left to replace Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in December 2018.

"I arrived at Molde as a young kid, and he helped me a lot," Haaland said. "He was a good finisher and helped me with striking skills and different finishing methods. He's been important in my career."

The teenager also revealed his admiration for Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

Ibrahimovic, 38, has scored 459 goals in 750 games at club level since he left Malmo as a youngster in 2001, having played for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and L.A. Galaxy.

Despite his age, Haaland is already at his fourth club. He joined Molde in 2017 from his hometown club Bryne, and he left Molde for Red Bull Salzburg in January last year.

A sensational record of 29 goals and seven assists in 27 matches for Salzburg caught the attention of the rest of Europe, and he was snapped up by Dortmund in January.

He's enjoyed an incredible start with BVB, notching 12 goals in nine games to take his overall tally to 40 in all competitions for the season in just 31 games. He's averaged a goal every 51 minutes he's played this season and also laid on eight assists along the way.

Haaland has plundered 10 goals in the UEFA Champions League, including this superb effort for Dortmund as part of a brace he scored against PSG in the first leg of their last-16 tie (U.S., UK only respectively):

His rise has been so incredible that he wouldn't look out of place at Old Trafford or the Santiago Bernabeu.

United signed Odion Ighalo on loan in January after an injury to Marcus Rashford left them with Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood as their only forward options for the immediate future. The Red Devils have failed to find the net 12 times in all competitions this season, so they could have benefited enormously from recruiting a player as prolific as Haaland has been.

As for Real, the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in 2018 can still be felt. Ronaldo scored 450 goals in nine years at Madrid, an average of exactly 50 per season.

Dortmund signed Haaland by meeting his €22.5 million (£19.6 million) release clause, but his value will have rocketed for any suitors hoping to lure him away from Germany in the coming years.  

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said star winger Jadon Sancho is "very happy" at the club, and he doesn't think he wants to leave. 

Sancho has been widely linked with a transfer this summer, but Watzke told BBC Sport an exit is not a foregone conclusion: "I think he has the feeling that the club does have a good future. In my opinion, I don't think he wants to leave. We have a very confidential relationship between us and him and his agents. We will discuss it."

According to Mike McGrath of the Telegraph, Manchester United lead the race to land Sancho in the summer. The report stated he'll be allowed to leave and would cost the Red Devils more than the £89.3 million they spent on Paul Pogba. 

Watzke said money is not a factor in their decision to keep or sell the youngster, however: "It's not a question of money. For us, it would be the best position if he stays at Borussia Dortmund. We have enough money. We want to have titles. I think this team has a lot more potential with Jadon than without Jadon."

The 19-year-old former Manchester City prospect moved to Germany in 2017 and steadily established himself as a rising star in the Bundesliga. He broke out in 2018 and has continued to put up impressive numbers:

Already a full England international, Sancho has limitless potential and looks like a future superstar. He's under contract until 2022.

Dortmund have built a tremendous reputation for nurturing young talent and selling them on for a profit, parting with the likes of Christian Pulisic and Ousmane Dembele in recent years. They're currently in a tight race for the Bundesliga title, trailing leaders Bayern Munich by four points. 

Chelsea and Liverpool have also been mentioned as possible summer destinations for Sancho should he leave Germany.