Mario Gotze to Liverpool: German midfielder looking forward to starting new season with Bayern Munich

Mario Gotze has handed Liverpool a major blow after dropping the biggest hint yet that he will remain with Bayern Munich next season despite reports linking him with a summer move to Anfield. The German midfielder had fallen out-of-favour under Pep Guardiola, who has departed the club to take the reins at Manchester City, and is hoping for a better role under new manager Carlo Ancelotti next season.

The 23-year-old has had a difficult campaign — one blighted by injuries — that has seen him make just 21 appearances in all competitions, and despite returning from injury in the final months of the season, he was left on the bench, which has led to speculation that he could seek a move away in search of regular first-team football.

According to the Sun, the Reds were plotting a £20m ($29m) move for the midfielder and hoping to conclude the deal before he travels with Germany for the European Championship finals in France beginning on 10 June. Gotze is currently injured with a broken rib because of which he also missed their German Cup final against Borussia Dortmund but he is expected to recover before the end of the summer tournament.

Liverpool's plans, however, suffered a massive blow after the midfielder revealed that he is focused on spending the next season in Munich and is aiming to be in top physical shape by the time pre-season begins under Ancelotti, with whom he has already held talks.

"I look forward to the new season in Munich and will do everything possible to be in top shape for my first training session under Carlo Ancelotti," Gotze said, as quoted by Sky Sports.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed that the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who has one more year remaining on his current deal, has parted ways with his agent Volker Struth at Sports Total with the agency releasing a statement confirming the split.

"Sport Total and Mario Gotze end their six-year collaboration by mutual agreement. This is the result of a conversation between SportsTotal CEO Volker Struth and the 23-year-old striker," a statement read, as quoted by Liverpool Echo.

"After extensive deliberations and discussions in the past few weeks, we have come together to decide that we terminate the co-operation. We met for a joint discussion and parted by mutual consent. I thank him for his many years of trust and wish him well for the future," the midfielder's agent Struth added.

Gotze also expressed his gratitude to his former representatives, he said: "I thank SportsTotal for a very good co-operation with many highlights and great memories that have shaped my career decisively."