Klopp Confident Of Lewandowski Stay Despite United & Bayern Links
Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp believes Robert Lewandowski will remain at the club next season.
The prolific Polish international will enter the last year of his contract this summer and has thus far shown little interest in renewing his deal at the Westfalenstadion.
But three days ahead of his side's Champions League final clash with Bayern Munich, a side Lewandowski has been strongly linked with, Klopp remains positive the 24-year-old will not join Mario Gotze in leaving the club this summer.
"There is no topic of Lewandowski's transfer right now," Klopp said, Sky Sports report. "The rest of the team and I talk and think only about the final right now.
"My conclusion is that Robert is not leaving Borussia, and he will play here for the next season and I will be able to use him. That is why I don't want to even think about to which club he may fit better."
Lewandowski has played an instrumental role in getting Dortmund to their first Champions League final since 1997, efforts epitomised by his stunning four goal display in the first leg of his side's semi-final win over Real Madrid.
Exasperatingly for Dortmund fans, the 24-year-old appears to be ready to move on, with Manchester United and Bayern Munich reportedly his most likely destinations, although interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid has begun to creep into the equation.
Should the striker leave, it will be another blow for Dortmund, who have already seen Bayern meet Gotze's buyout clause to bring him to the Allianz Arena this summer. The German international would have played his final game for Dortmund against his future employers this Saturday, but the club have today confirmed that the attacking midfielder will miss the Champions League final at Wembley.
Gotze suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-final clash at the Bernabeu, and has failed to recover in time after he was forced to cut a training session short on Tuesday.
"I am unbelievably sorry that I will not be able to help the team in this important match," Gotze said earlier today.
"I have huge belief in our team and will naturally travel with them to London to endeavour to support the lads off the pitch."
Bayern will also be missing influential midfielder Toni Kroos, who was ruled out for the season at the beginning of April with a groin injury.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.