By Klaus Bergmann, dpa
Munich (dpa) – Germany midfielder Mario Goetze’s return to Borussia
Dortmund appears more likely after talks with Bayern Munich now come
down to his transfer fee, while Bayern’s Dutch winger Arjen Robben is
likely to miss the start of the season with a groin injury.
German media reports Sunday said Bayern were seeking around 28
million euros (30.9 million dollars) for Goetze, who moved to Munich
from Dortmund in 2013 for 37 million, then the most expensive
transfer within the Bundesliga.
Rummenigge has confirmed that the club were in talks with both
Dortmund and Goetze’s agent on a transfer of the 24-year-old, who has
another year on his contract in Munich.
Speaking at a friendly in Lippstadt Saturday, Rummenigge said: «There
is a price which is known. When it is fulfilled we will be ready to
complete this transfer. It is a three-way business. We have to have a
little bit more patience.»
Goetze did not play in Bayern’s first match under new coach Carlo
Ancelotti, who was without the internationals who took part at Euro
2016 in France.
In interviews after the game, Rummenigge said Goetze was «a wonderful
footballer but unfortunately it has not worked out at Bayern so far.»
Goetze needs to play regularly and a return to his former club was «a
good option» and also «not bad for Dortmund,» he added.
Goetze has also in the past been linked with a move to Liverpool and
his former Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, and more recently by some
British media reports to fellow Premier League side Tottenham
Hotspur.
Robben meanwhile is expected to be out for six weeks after suffering
a groin injury in Saturday’s friendly.
Robben came off in the 35th minute of the 4-3 win over fifth-tier
Lippstadt after pulling up following a sprint.
«The injury to the player’s right leg was diagnosed after an
examination conducted by the club’s medical unit in Munich on
Sunday,» the club said in a statement.
«Robben will be sidelined for approximately six weeks.»
He is therefore not thought likely to recover in time for Bayern’s
opening match of the Bundesliga season, against Werder Bremen on
August 26.
