Bundesliga

New Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland has said the club's plan for his development "triggered" him to sign for them over potential transfer rivals. 

The Norwegian has blossomed into one of the most exciting young players in European football this season, having excelled in the UEFA Champions League for Red Bull Salzburg.

Unsurprisingly, there was plenty of speculation regarding the striker, with the likes of Manchester United and RB Leipzig linked with a possible January move. However, Haaland made the switch to Dortmund and has outlined his thinking behind opting for the Westfalenstadion.

"They just went direct and said, 'We need you upfront, we like your playing style and we want to have you here'," he said, per Sacha Pisani of Goal. "I liked how they spoke to me then, and that's what triggered me [to sign]. I just felt that me and Dortmund was a good match."

Haaland's agent, Mino Raiola, said it was United who held the most talks with the striker. "Clearly he felt that at this moment it was not the right step in his career," he added. "There is nothing against Manchester United or [manager] Ole Gunnar Solskjaer."

Dortmund will be pleased to have signed Haaland, as this season he has proved he can find the net at the highest level. BT Sport looked back at some of his best moments from the UEFA Champions League this season:

In Europe and the Austrian top flight, Haaland has been extraordinarily prolific:

Haaland's decision does seem like a sensible one, given Dortmund are considered to be one of the best developers of young players in the world.

In recent years, the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Christian Pulisic have honed their skills with BVB before departing for big money to Barcelona and Chelsea, respectively.

At 19 years old, the striker is still in the early stages of his career and has rough parts of his game that require refinement. Dortmund will be a fantastic environment for him to continue that process, as opposed to the huge pressure that comes with playing for a juggernaut like Manchester United.

The goalscoring potency of Haaland will help streamline any adaptation process:

United would have been disappointed to miss out on a talent like Haaland, especially given they have yet to sign a centre-forward to replace Romelu Lukaku, who joined Inter Milan in the summer.

However, Haaland appears to have made a sensible choice by moving to Dortmund, and it'll be fascinating to monitor the next steps in his young career. They will return to competitive football after the winter break on January 18, as they visit Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has said the club's decision to sign Alexander Nubel will have no impact on his potential contract extension. 

The German champions confirmed this week that they will sign Nubel on a free transfer at the end of the campaign. The 23-year-old will be expected to provide competition for the veteran stopper, who remains one of the standout goalkeepers in the game.

Neuer was asked about the acquisition and said the signing will not have an impact over his own long-term future, per Patric Ridge of Goal:

"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."

Neuer was also quizzed on whether he thinks to signing of Nubel will have an influence on his own game time:

As relayed by Ridge, Neuer's current deal expires in the summer of 2021, although the club and player are said to be in talks over a possible extension.

Nubel is considered one of the best young goalkeepers in the Bundesliga, so Bayern will be delighted to have secured his signature for next season. It will give the team critical depth and a succession plan for when Neuer retires.

However, it appears Nubel will have an uphill battle trying to get regular minutes in the 2019-20 season, with Neuer seemingly keen to stay at Bayern for a while yet. 

According to Christian Falk of Sport Bild, the Munich club are hoping for healthy competition between the two players in the position:

Football writer Jonathan Harding thinks Nubel may be making a mistake in joining Bayern to be second choice:

While Neuer has regressed slightly in recent years, he remains a high-quality operator and, as club captain, clearly has plenty of influence at the Allianz Arena. For Bayern, having him tied down to a long-term contract will be a big boost.

Neuer joined Bayern in 2011 and has helped them continue to dominate German football during that period, winning seven Bundesliga titles. He also won the UEFA Champions League in 2013 with the Bavarian giants, as well as the FIFA World Cup with Germany a year later.

Bayern Munich manager Hans-Dieter Flick has dismissed speculation linking David Alaba with a move away from the club in the current transfer window and has also said he "cannot imagine" veteran defender Jerome Boateng leaving either.

Chelsea have reportedly shown an interest in signing Alaba in a possible £60 million deal, although when Flick was quizzed on the possible availability of the Austria international he said the player "is not for sale," per Tom Kershaw of the Independent.

Flick was also asked about a possible sale of Boateng and said he doesn't envisage the German being sold in January.

"He trained well on holiday and prepared himself," Flick continued. "He told me nothing [about wanting to leave]."

Arsenal have reportedly made an enquiry regarding Boateng's availability, with the 31-year-old said to be open to a new challenge in the winter window.

Of the two players linked with possible sales, it's Alaba who Bayern will be the most keen to hang on to, as he remains one of the standout left-backs in world football.

The 27-year-old has started 11 Bundesliga matches this season and provides a thrust to the left flank that few full-backs in the game can match. He's suffered with a couple of injury issues this season, but remains a critical part of the Munich setup.

Per OptaFranz, before the winter break Alaba reached a landmark game for the German champions: 

Earlier in the campaign, he showed off his quality with a stunning free-kick for the Bavarian outfit: 

Boateng was once just as crucial a cog in the Bayern machine, although in recent years a succession of injury issues have prompted the Munich club to reshape their defensive structure to cover for his regular absences.

The defender has started eight games in the German top flight this season and has been increasingly troubled by the movement of dynamic forwards.

Nevertheless, according to BR Football's Dean Jones, the defender would still want to pick up a sizeable wage packet if he was to move elsewhere: 

Flick's desire to keep the centre-back for the remainder of the campaign makes sense though, as Bayern have been decimated by injury issues in defence.

Javi Martinez picked up an issue before the winter break, while Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez have both been sidelined with long-term injuries since October. 

Bayern Munich have completed the acquisition of Schalke goalkeeper Alexander Nubel for the 2020-21 season.

The German giants confirmed the signing on Saturday:

Nubel will head to the Allianz Arena to provide competition for Germany captain Manuel Neuer, having broken into the Schalke first-team last season.

The signing has the potential to be a bargain one for Bayern, with the 23-year-old's current deal set to expire at the end of the campaign. In a statement on their website, the Munich club confirmed Nubel will pen a five-year deal.

According to Christian Falk of Sport Bild, Bayern expect their new acquisition to put pressure on Neuer for his starting berth next term: 

Nubel has proved himself to be a steady operator in the Bundesliga, helping Schalke to the fourth-best defensive record in the division at the winter break. His reflexes are sharp, as is his shot-stopping and work under the high ball.

The goalkeeper still has work to do in other facets of his game, though, most notably in terms of developing as a sweeper 'keeper. 

Earlier in the campaign, Nubel made this rash challenge in his team's clash with Eintracht Frankfurt, resulting in a red card: 

It will be intriguing to see how he develops at Bayern and how the stopper copes with the pressure of playing for such a high-profile side.

German football writer Jonathan Harding believes Nubel has plenty of talent, although he suggested this transfer may come a little too soon for him: 

At 33 years old, Neuer is in what would typically be considered the prime years of a goalkeeper's career. His awareness and ability on the ball gives Bayern an extra dimension at the base of the team, too.

Nubel may not expect a lot of playing time in his debut season at Bayern. But for now, he'll be tasked with finishing this campaign strongly with Schalke, who are fifth in the table; they trail Bayern by three points at the halfway point of the season.

Interim Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has said RB Leipzig have "the biggest potential" to end the seven years of dominance his club have enjoyed in the Bundesliga. 

Borussia Dortmund were the last side other than Bayern to win the German title back in 2011-12.

At the midway stage of the 2019-20 season, though, the defending champions sit third in the Bundesliga table, four points back from leaders Leipzig:

Flick believes Julian Nagelsmann's side are the best of a handful of sides who could pip Bayern to the title this term, per Kicker (h/t Goal's Sam France):

"Of all our rivals, Leipzig have the biggest potential and most options. RB have a good, well-balanced squad. It's important that the second- or third-choice players have the same quality. Leipzig have the advantage at the moment, but teams like Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Monchengladbach, Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen mustn't be underestimated."

Flick has been appointed caretaker Bayern boss until the end of the season following the November dismissal of Niko Kovac.

Kovac, 48, took up the manager's role at the Allianz Arena in July 2018 and won a domestic double in his debut season.

However, after an underwhelming start to the 2019-20 campaign, his dismissal did not come as a huge surprise as he had never seemed a good fit:

Flick oversaw four consecutive wins in all competitions on first taking up the interim role.

Bayern then suffered back-to-back defeats to Leverkusen and Gladbach before they went into the winter break on the back of four more wins in a row.

They return to action in the German top flight on January 19, when they visit Hertha Berlin.

Borussia Dortmund announced the signing of Erling Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg on Sunday on a contract that runs until June 2024.

The 19-year-old is one of Europe's most highly rated young strikers and has netted 16 goals in 14 league games for Salzburg and scored eight times in the UEFA Champions League in 2019-20.

Per Goal's Sam France, Dortmund paid €20 million (£17 million) for the teenager, who will link up with his new team-mates on January 3 before they head to Spain for a winter training camp.

Haaland was linked with several of Europe's top clubs prior to his move but said he had no doubts about joining the Bundesliga team, per the club's official website:

"I had several intense conversations with the club's management team, in particular with Hans-Joachim Watzke, Michael Zorc and coach Lucien Favre. Right from the very start, I knew I wanted to move here. I can't wait to get started and play in front of over 80,000 fans in the incredible Dortmund atmosphere. I'm so excited."

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke spoke about how his club beat off competition from Europe's top teams to land the talented teenager: "Despite receiving numerous offers from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, Erling Haaland has decided that the best option for his career is to come and join our project here at BVB. Our persistence has paid off."

The 19-year-old will look to continue his upward trajectory at the German giants, who have a strong reputation for developing players and getting the best out of their youngsters.

Haaland will also add attacking power to Lucien Favre's side. He has been prolific both domestically and in Europe this term and has enjoyed a strong debut season in the UEFA Champions League:

Manchester United were reportedly interested in signing Haaland, but the Red Devils pulled out of the deal because of demands relating to a buyout clause and a percentage of future sales, according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson:

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer worked with the striker at Molde but played down rumours his club would sign the teenager before Christmas, per James Ducker at the Telegraph.

Bundesliga side RB Leipzig were also credited with an interest in the teenager, but the club's chief executive, Oliver Mintzlaff, told Sport1 that he expected his side to be priced out of a deal (h/t Tony Mogan at the Evening Standard).

The Independent's Melissa Reddy explained why she thinks Haaland made the right decision in joining Dortmund:

Dortmund fans will be hoping to get their first glimpse of their new signing when Favre's men play a friendly against Feyenoord in Marbella on January 11. They take on FC Augsburg when the Bundesliga resumes a week later.

Bayern Munich have confirmed interim manager Hansi Flick will stay in charge of the side "at least until the end of the current season."

Bayern announced the news on Sunday via their official website. The Bundesliga champions said the possibility of extending his tenure at the club beyond the summer "is explicitly a viable option."

Club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the club "are very satisfied with Hansi Flick's work" and added:

"Under him as head coach, the on-field development has been outstanding, both in terms of the quality of our play and the results achieved.

"We set a new record in the 28-year history of the Champions League with six wins in six matches in the group stage, and in the Bundesliga we have returned to touching distance of the top of the table.

"I am convinced that FC Bayern will continue next year where we left off in the last few games, namely playing attractive and successful football."

Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was also pleased with the decision to keep Flick in charge for the immediate future:

Flick, who won four Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian club as a player, joined Niko Kovac's coaching staff in the summer.

He took charge on a caretaker basis when Kovac was sacked on November 3 after a 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bayern were fourth in the Bundesliga at the time, four points off the top. They're now third heading into the winter break, albeit they're still four points behind first-place RB Leipzig.

Flick has won eight of his 10 games in charge.

The team won his first four in succession, with UEFA Champions League wins over Olympiacos and Red Star Belgrade either side of league wins against Borussia Dortmund and Fortuna Dusseldorf.

After suffering back-to-back defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach, they've won another four in a row in all competitions.

Munich have been an attacking force to be reckoned with during his time in charge:

The players will likely have welcomed the decision. Joshua Kimmich was among those calling for Flick to be given the job until the end of the season after Saturday's 2-0 win over Wolfsburg, per Goal's Ronan Murphy:

In the summer, it will be easier for Bayern to give a full assessment of Flick's performance, and they may have more options if they decide to replace him with a new permanent boss, too.

Bayern have won each of the last seven Bundesliga titles. Having won it last season after being nine points off the lead in December, they'll be expected to overhaul the four-point gap they face this time around.

Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has played down rumours that Leroy Sane could leave Manchester City for the Bundesliga champions in the January transfer window.

Salihamidzic told Sky (h/t Goal's Joe Wright) that he was not expecting his club to be busy in the transfer market.

"It's not good to speak about players from other clubs," he said ahead of the club's game against Wolfsburg on Saturday. "We will leave all options open for us in the transfer market, but I don't think much will happen."

Sane is currently sidelined after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in August that saw Manchester City rule him out of action for seven months, per The Independent.

Bild (h/t the Mirror's Matt Maltby) have reported that Sane wants to move to the Allianz Arena in January and has made his intentions clear to Pep Guardiola's side.

The Manchester City boss has not ruled out an exit for Sane:

Sane joined Manchester City in 2016 from Schalke and has won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and two League Cup crowns with the Citizens.

The winger was also named the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2018:

Sane has just 18 months left on his current Manchester City deal, and a move "looks inevitable" in either January or next summer, according to Goal's Jonathan Smith.

Bayern were interested in Sane in summer 2018 and prepared a bid of £73 million, although Manchester City valued the 23-year-old at £137 million, per James Ducker at the Telegraph.

Sane's value will have dropped as he has been out of action for so long, but Manchester City will not want to let such a talented players leave on the cheap.

Bild's Christian Falk has reported the German giants can afford to sign Sane in January:

Bayern Munich are four points behind RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and could benefit from strengthening in the January transfer window.

The club saw veteran attackers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery depart in the summer, while Kingsley Coman had been sidelined after suffering a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League.

Philippe Coutinho has looked an increasingly great fit since he joined Bayern Munich on loan during the summer, but the Brazilian has had to wear child's-size replica shirts in their domestic home games this season.

The official Bundesliga website reported Bayern's shirt manufacturer, Adidas, supplied the defending German champions with this season's kit before Coutinho moved to the Allianz Arena on loan from Barcelona.

The result is that Coutinho, 27, has played the first half of the campaign making do without an "authentic" shirt—which is said to dry quicker than its replica counterpart—in Bayern's home domestic games.

Fortunately for the 5'6" playmaker, Bayern's away kit and their UEFA Champions League jersey fit just fine.

Coutinho hasn't been hindered by the fact he's worn the same shirt as many of Bayern's loyal fans in recent months, netting seven goals and recording seven assists in 20 appearances for the club.

He most recently scored his first hat-trick for the club and recorded two assists in Saturday's 6-1 hammering of Werder Bremen at the Allianz:

The majority of Coutinho's direct goal involvements this season had in fact come away from home prior to that performance, which left Bayern's U.S. Twitter account in awe:

Bayern paid Barcelona €8.5 million to take Coutinho on loan for the season, while AS (h/t Football Espana) said the Germans must pay another €125 million (£106.3 million) to make the move permanent.

Adidas will provide an updated jersey for Coutinho in the second half of the campaign, but not before he's due one more run out in the children's fit when Bayern host Wolfsburg on December 21.

Former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso has played down speculation he could return to Bavaria as club manager, saying he has much to learn still before taking such a massive job.

Marca's Oscar Badallo asked the Real Sociedad B coach about the rumours, and Alonso responded his sole focus is on the Txuri Urdin right now:

"I am where I want to be right now. I'm just starting out in my coaching career and I have no goals beyond San Sebastian. The rest is just people talking. I hope I can become a better coach, here at La Real, and enjoy every single year of my career. Whatever happens, will happen, these clubs can sign the best coaches in the world and I'm just starting."

Per Goal's Chris Burton, he was also linked with Arsenal. The Daily Express reported Pep Guardiola is eyeing him as a possible assistant should Mikel Arteta, a boyhood friend of Alonso, join the Gunners:

The 38-year-old, who began his professional playing career in San Sebastian, returned to his old stomping grounds in July. He has shown plenty of promise early, and Real Sociedad B currently sit in third place in Group 2 of the Segunda Division B after finishing in 12th place last season.

A technical and intelligent defensive midfielder who always relied on his vision and positioning to find success, it's no surprise those qualities have translated well to coaching.

Bayern sacked manager Niko Kovac earlier this season, and Hansi Flick has been the interim manager since November 3. He will reportedly be named head coach for the rest of the season soon:

After a fast start under Flick, the Bavarians have lost two of their last three Bundesliga matches. They sit in fifth place, six points behind league-leading RB Leipzig.

Despite the inconsistent results, Flick is well liked by the player, and leading scorer Robert Lewandowski has praised him for the job he has done since Kovac's departure, per Amitai Winehouse of MailOnline:

"The bosses made the decision [on Kovac]. It just did not work. Hansi Flick did a great job in just a few days to set us up tactically very well. The players believed directly in him and his words, he has breathed a new life into us.

"He's honest and direct. The players immediately noticed that. He also works very well tactically. I don't want to say that everything's perfect now, but in a few days he has done a very good job."

Alonso has all the makings of a great coach, but he has no managerial experience at the senior level or in any top division. It's far too early for him to take on a job as massive as Bayern's, and don't expect him to take control of a club of that magnitude anytime soon.