Bundesliga

Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer has denied rumours the Bundesliga giants could try to land Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo, saying the 35-year-old is too old to be a target. 

Hainer made the comment in an interview with TZ (h/t Football Italia): "Lots of names appear in the papers, and that is entirely understandable, but he is too old for us."

Ronaldo turned 35 on Wednesday, and the Bianconeri commemorated his birthday with a video of some of his highlights:

He remains one of the world's most dangerous forwards and is in the midst of his best scoring spell in Italy.

His 19 Serie A goals so far this season rank him second in the league behind Lazio Roma's Ciro Immobile. He has almost four times as many goals as Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala, who are both second on the team with five each.

Ronaldo has found the net in nine straight Serie A outings, an incredible run dating back to the 2-2 draw against Sassuolo on December 1st:

While every major contender in the UEFA Champions League could likely use his services, a transfer seems virtually impossible. Juventus would not sanction the sale of such a key player unless the offer is substantial, and teams aren't going to invest an enormous sum in a player of his age―even if Ronaldo has yet to show any signs of slowing down.

Bayern are not lacking for firepower from the striker position thanks to the presence of Robert Lewandowski, arguably the most dependable player in front of goal in Europe right now.

He has netted 22 goals in the Bundesliga already and has been a reliable scorer for the club for years:

Bayern have won their last eight matches in all competitions, surging to the top of the Bundesliga standings. They'll face Chelsea in the Champions League knockout stages and will likely be significant favourites in that tie.

Juventus lead Serie A and are paired with Lyon in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said showing a video of BVB's "yellow wall" of supporters to Erling Haaland helped the Norway forward in his decision to join the Bundesliga giants.

Zorc told Sport Bild (h/t the Mirror's Rich Jones) the striker was impressed by the video before penning a deal to move to the Signal Iduna Park:

"He seemed to like it! We had to reach high to sign Erling and it's no secret that other well-known clubs were working hard to get him.

"I was like a little boy (when he spoke with Haaland's agent Mino Raiola on Christmas Eve to confirm the deal).

"This combination of robustness, quality of finishing, good technique and his speed makes Erling special. In our first conversations there was already a positive atmosphere and we both felt good. Erling and BVB - it fits 100 per cent.

"[He also has a] tremendous personality and that suits Borussia Dortmund, our stadium and our fans. That is what defines our club and is exactly what Erling was looking for. Such an atmosphere inspires him – he explodes on the pitch."

Haaland had been reportedly linked with a chance to join his former Molde coach, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, at Manchester United, per Jones, but the Leeds-born player opted to depart Red Bull Salzburg for Germany.

United continued to shop for a striker until the final day of the January transfer window. The Red Devils eventually completed the six-month loan capture of Odion Ighalo from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.

Haaland has made an explosive start at BVB, scoring seven goals in his first three Bundesliga appearances. His first two games were from the substitute's bench, and the 6'4" striker showed he doesn't need many minutes to consistently find the back of the net.

The 19-year-old could quickly develop into one of the world's top finishers, and Dortmund might have made one of the greatest transfer decisions in recent times by triggering the player's buyout. According to BBC Sport, BVB paid only €20 million (£17.1 million) for Haaland's services.

Haaland would have been perfect for United's need for No. 9, but German football will provide the perfect developmental environment for the teenager.

BVB are known for allowing youth to flourish, and it will be no surprise to see the Norwegian as a prominent starter before the end of the season arrives.

Bayern Munich's current focus is on fighting for silverware on multiple fronts, not negotiating contract extensions with several key players, according to club sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. 

Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, Javi Martinez, David Alaba and Thiago Alcantara all have contracts that expire in 2021.

In order to ward off interest from potential suitors, Bayern will likely need to renew those deals before the summer transfer window.

Salihamidzic has made assurances talks will take place, but he said Bayern's current focus is on their upcoming matches in multiple competitions, per Dejan Kalinic of Goal:

"We will certainly have talks, but in the next few weeks we will concentrate on the competitions. It's important that we are totally focused on the games in the upcoming weeks. That's where the focus lies."

He acknowledged there is a danger of allowing contracts to run too close to their expiry date but added "we have had good experience with concentrating on the competitions first, and that's what we will do."

Bayern are on an eight-match winning run in all competitions which has seen them move to the top of the Bundesliga, advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and the quarter-finals of the German Cup.

Unlike previous seasons, they have no margin for error in the German top flight as the top four are separated by just three points:

Meanwhile, the Champions League gets back up and running this month, and Bayern face the first leg of their last-16 tie against Chelsea on February 25.

Bayern disappointed in Europe's elite club competition last season. They failed to get past the first knockout round after being well beaten by eventual champions Liverpool.

The German giants have not made the final since they last won the competition in 2012-13.

For a club of Bayern's stature, that is a lengthy absence, particularly given they reached three finals in four years from 2010.

While no knockout round in the Champions League is straightforward, Bayern are strong favourites to go at least one better this season than they did last.

Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League, 32 points off the top, and they have won just two of their last five games in all competitions. 

Borussia Dortmund have said forward Marco Reus suffered a muscular injury during Tuesday's 3-2 defeat at Werder Bremen that could keep him sidelined for up to one month. 

The club's official Twitter account confirmed news of the problem accrued by the Germany international during their DFB Cup round-of-16 loss:

The problem is the latest in a long line of injury issues for Reus, with the forward having missed a succession of key games for the Westfalenstadion club, as well as the last two major international tournaments with Germany.

Reus was enjoying an impressive run of fitness this season, scoring 11 goals and recording six assists in 19 Bundesliga appearances. Dortmund sit third in the Bundesliga and two points behind leaders Bayern Munich at the time of his injury.

The blow means he now looks set to miss Dortmund's UEFA Champions League round-of-16 first leg at home to Paris Saint-Germain on February 18. The Black and Yellows will travel to the Parc des Princes for the return leg on March 11.

Not having the 30-year-old on the field means Dortmund are weaker, as Reus has consistently proved himself as one of European football's most dangerous operators. He's enjoyed a new lease of life under Lucien Favre, too.

Reus has a rare blend of pace, excellent technique and a sharp football brain. Whether operating from the left flank or as a split striker, he is a threat who is able to create space and chances for his team-mates and score goals himself.

The worry for Reus is that other attacking stars will overtake him in the pecking order at Dortmund while he sits on the sidelines. Jadon Sancho, Mario Gotze, Julian Brandt, Thorgan Hazard and new arrival Erling Haaland are all talented operators who thrive in a similar area to the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach star.

Favre will shuffle his plans ahead of Saturday's trip to Bayer Leverkusen, who sit fifth in the Bundesliga and five points below Dortmund. 

Bayern Munich reserve-team coach Sebastian Hoeness has backed Alphonso Davies to become one of the world's best left-backs.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign at Bayern, whom he joined from Vancouver Whitecaps in January last year.

Hoeness told Goal's Dennis Melzer: "Phonzy is now one of the top performers on a regular basis. If his development goes on like this, he certainly has the potential to advance to the top of his position internationally."

The coach added that he could see Davies' "great potential" while working with him in the reserve side, and his performances for Bayern's first team this season have "showed that it can be worth throwing the boys into the cold water and giving them the opportunity to swim freely."

Hoeness said the Canadian's experience as a winger has benefited him since he made the transition to left-back and added:

"Obviously, [Davies'] physique is one of his great strengths. He is a model athlete: fast and also very robust.

"Accordingly, his body is his greatest weapon. He is also a left-footer who works well from a technical point of view, even at the highest speed."

Davies made six appearances for Bayern last season, scoring once, but he only spent a total of 74 minutes on the pitch.

This season, he has played 21 first-team games, contributing a goal and four assists. Since October 26, he has started all of their Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League games, having been moved to left-back after Lucas Hernandez suffered a long-term ankle injury.

His performances have been superb, and he was named Bayern's player of the month for December:

Davies' pace is not only an asset when he gets forward, but it also helps him recover defensively, too:

DAZN's Cristian Nyari is a big admirer of his:

He was one of Bayern's star performers in their 5-0 win over Schalke in January.

Bundesliga writer Manuel Veth shared some of the numbers behind his impressive showing:

Away from the pitch the teenager, who already has 17 senior caps for Canada, has been making waves on social media, too:

Given how strong his performances have been, Hernandez is facing some serious competition to get back into the side. The France international is set to return to Bayern's squad for the first time on Wednesday for their DFB-Pokal match with Hoffenheim.

If Hernandez takes Davies' place once he's ready to start again, there could be scope for the youngster to move back to the wing, because Ivan Perisic is set for over a month out of action with a fractured ankle he suffered in training.  

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has said the club have received no approaches for "phenomenon" Jadon Sancho, but he can't guarantee the winger will be at the Westfalenstadion next season. 

Sancho, 19, left Manchester City to join the Black and Yellows in 2017, swiftly settling in as senior star at Dortmund and attracting interest from a host of European football's major powers.

Zorc paid his player high praise in an interview with Sport Bild (h/t Goal's Stephen Darwin) but was honest in regards to whether he felt Sancho will remain in Dortmund beyond this campaign: 

"The fact is no other club has contacted us so far about Jadon.

"[I can't] reliably answer today [if Sancho will stay at Dortmund beyond the summer]. What I can say for sure is that he feels very comfortable with us. Otherwise he could not produce such [high-level] performances week after week.

"He is a phenomenon and is now producing top performances. And he rarely takes a break on the pitch, helping the team with their defensive work. He is hard-working and gets the greatest of respect from me."

Sancho scored the opener in Saturday's 5-0 rout of Union Berlin to become the youngest player to reach 25 goals in the Bundesliga, via BT Sport (UK viewers only):

The England international was understandably delighted with his landmark strike, helping the Black and Yellows climb to third after RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach each drew in Week 20:

Darwin cited existing interest in the player from Manchester United and Chelsea, each of which appear eager to offer the London native a route back to the Premier League.

Sancho joined the Black and Yellows for a reported fee of £8 million, per the Guardian's Ed Aarons, but it's possible he could fetch 10 times that figure or more when he departs Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund often prove themselves shrewd negotiators in the transfer market, having recently signed Erling Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg for €22.5 million (£19 million), per the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano. The Norwegian wonderkid, also 19, has eight goals in his first four appearances for the German giants.

Sam Dean of the Telegraph testified to Sancho's staggering consistency in attack, contributing at least one direct goal contribution in all but two of his last 13 appearances for club and country:

Despite his age, the former Watford academy starlet—who is contracted at Dortmund until 2022—has stormed to elite levels early on in his senior career, per Statman Dave:

United and Chelsea have been the two teams most strongly linked with Sancho, though the Independent's Melissa Reddy wrote runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool also have an interest.

Dortmund have proved capable recruiters when it comes to replacing such high-value assets in the past, and Zorc's comments suggest the club won't block Sancho's departure provided their needs are met.

Leroy Sane-to-Bayern Munich rumours have gone quiet for months, but the Bundesliga giants remain keen on eventually signing the Manchester City winger.

Bayern president Herbert Hainer is prepared to wait and see how Sane overcomes the anterior cruciate ligament problem that's kept him out since August:

Sane was injured when City won the 2019 FA Community Shield on penalties against Liverpool. The Germany international hasn't played a single minute since, but Pep Guardiola is confident Sane will return before the end of the campaign.

Guardiola has said the player will need another two weeks to get back up to speed after returning to full training in January, per Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News.

Sane "moved really well," according to Guardiola, who also said Sane has an offer on the table to extend a contract set to expire in 2021.

Getting Sane back would be a huge boost for City, since the 24-year-old's acceleration, trickery and eye for goal are key assets. Sane's partnership with fellow wide forward Raheem Sterling helped the Citizens win back-to-back Premier League titles, but the attack hasn't been quite as potent with Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva in the lineup more often.

His natural talent is why Bayern have maintained their interest in Sane. Club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German journalist Manuel Bonke (h/t Alex Smith of the Daily Mirror) he does "not rule out" still being keen on Sane.

Rummenigge also emphasised the need to make City aware of the interest and keep any talks on a friendly basis. Smith noted how then-Bayern manager Niko Kovac angered City last summer when he publicly expressed his confidence about signing Sane, with the Croatian apologising for his remarks soon after.

As well as thawing relations with City, Bayern would also need to find an obvious place in the lineup for Sane. It wouldn't be easy in a squad loaded on the flanks.

Former Arsenal man Serge Gnabry has consistently delivered pace, power and goals from wide areas:

Meanwhile, Inter Milan loanee Ivan Perisic has made a positive impression by scoring five goals and providing six assists in all competitions. However, Perisic now faces a spell on the treatment table:

Kingsley Coman is another gifted winger beset by injuries. The Frenchman has been dealing with calf problems and a torn joint capsule this season. Add in 19-year-old Alphonso Davies and Bayern have an enviable contingent of options to play out wide.

Even so, none of these players can match a fit-again Sane's ability to create and score goals, nor his obvious potential to become a world-class star in the next few years.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hailed former club Borussia Dortmund for their activity in the January transfer window, believing Emre Can and Erling Haaland can help the side achieve great things.

Klopp spoke to Bild (h/t Goal's James Westwood) about Can's return to Germany and said the former Liverpool midfielder is a perfect fit:

"I am happy for BVB and Emre Can. It's a win-win situation. Emre is just a perfect match for this club.

"BVB got a top lad, a wonderful, versatile footballer with an outstanding attitude.

"I trust them to achieve a lot in the Ruckrunde [second half of the season] with Can and Haaland."

Can joined Dortmund from Juventus on a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy.

The Germany international moved to Turin as a free agent ahead of the 2018-19 campaign and had a solid first season under manager Massimiliano Allegri. His playing time decreased under Maurizio Sarri, however, leading to a split in January.

Per StatsBomb, the 26-year-old did what was asked of him whenever he played:

Sarri preferred the trio of Miralem Pjanic, Adrien Rabiot and Rodrigo Bentancur, however, while Blaise Matuidi also sat ahead of Can in the pecking order.

He now has the chance to rebuild his reputation at Dortmund, where he should receive plenty of playing time. He showed his ability to play as a defender in Turin and is expected to slide straight into the starting XI in the 3-4-3 formation Dortmund have used with great success of late.

Haaland has been a smash hit in that system:

The 19-year-old has set the Bundesliga on fire since joining from Red Bull Salzburg, scoring an incredible seven goals in just three appearances, with two coming off the bench.

Haaland has needed almost no time to adapt to his new surroundings, and he believes he's not playing at his best:

The 2019-20 Bundesliga campaign has been one of the tightest in ages with just three points separating first-placed Bayern Munich from fourth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach. Dortmund are third, tied on points with Monchengladbach, and have won three consecutive matches.

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has heaped praise on team-mate Erling Haaland but said he's got some way to go before he's at the same level as former BVB striker Robert Lewandowski.

Haaland moved to Dortmund in the January transfer window from Red Bull Salzburg and has enjoyed a remarkable start to his career at the Westfalenstadion, with seven goals from one start and two substitute appearances for his new club.

Speaking about the teenager, Hummels joked that he's been helping him with his goalscoring touch in the early weeks at Dortmund, per WELT (h/t Goal).

"Haaland is doing well," the defender said. "Of course I give him some tips how this works. He has more goals in 57 minutes than I will score in the whole season. ... [I hope Haaland stays] as long as I am here. At least I wish so."

The Norway international made his first start for the club on Saturday in a 5-0 win over Union Berlin, helping Dortmund stay remain three points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich:

Every game Haaland has been involved in since he arrived at Dortmund has seen the team net five times, with Lucien Favre's side rediscovering their attacking swagger since the arrival of the 19-year-old.

Squawka Football provided the figures behind the striker's rapid start in Germany:

Ronan Murphy of Goal put his goalscoring into context, with Haaland chopping down the gap to some of the division's top goalscorers:

Although Haaland is making a name for himself, Lewandowski—who played with Dortmund from 2010-14 and then later with Bayern—remains the standout forward in the division in the eyes of Hummels.

"I played together with Lewandowski for many years, so I know a good striker when I see one," the defender said. "[Haaland] is not at the same level yet, though."

Haaland could do worse than model his game on Lewandowski. Like the Bayern star, Haaland is physically imposing and quick for someone with a burly physique; Lewandowski comes alive in the penalty area, able to finish with both feet and his head, but his link play is silky and effective too.

Per former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft, Union defender and former Dortmund man Neven Subotic compared Haaland and Lewandowski after Saturday's game:

It's still early days in Haaland's Dortmund career, and his goalscoring will likely slow down at some point. However, it appears the striker will be one of the most prolific players on the continent for a long time yet.

This season, the form of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner appears to have pushed Lewandowski to even higher levels, with the pair on 20 and 22 goals respectively. With an absorbing title race shaping up, it'll be fascinating to see which of the three forwards mentioned can fire their team to glory.

Hertha Berlin confirmed the signing of Krzysztof Piatek from AC Milan on a permanent deal on Thursday.

The Bundesliga outfit announced the acquisition on their official website, with the Poland international saying he's delighted to make the switch.

"I'm so happy that this transfer got done," he said. "The way this club is going really convinced me that this was the right move for me, and I'm so excited to play with my new team-mates. I want to contribute to this development with plenty of great performances and hopefully lots of goals." 

Piatek will leave Milan just a year on from his high-profile transfer from Genoa. He arrived at the San Siro as one of European football's most prolific centre-forwards, although he's struggled for form this term and his stock has subsequently fallen.

Even though he has not hit top gear this season, Piatek was a target for a number of big-name outfits. The Times noted Manchester United were close to agreeing an 18-month loan deal with Milan for the striker, while Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have also been linked.

Instead, Hertha have been able to land the 24-year-old, and he will be out to rebuild his reputation as one of the most deadly finishers on the continent.

Prior to his move to Milan, Piatek had scored an incredible 19 goals in 21 Serie A matches with Genoa.

Last season, he scored nine more goals for the San Siro outfit in 18 league appearances. However, his edge in front of goal has disappeared this term, with just four Serie A strikes in 2019-20.

Milan drafted in Zlatan Ibrahimovic to solve their goalscoring woes, and he has had a positive impact since his return to the club, with the Rossoneri enjoying an upturn in form. The 38-year-old bumped Piatek further down the pecking order, and eventually a transfer became inevitable in this window.

Now it will be intriguing to see how the Pole fares in the German capital. Piatek thrives on quality service, as he's able to finish with his right foot, left foot and head, so the onus will be on the Hertha midfielders and wingers to make the most of his smart movement and reactions.

Hertha also need a goalscorer to fire them out of trouble in the Bundesliga. They are down in 13th place in the table, just five points clear of the relegation zone.