Dortmund readying bid for Ranocchia

Dortmund readying bid for Ranocchia

 

Borussia Dortmund are lining up a January bid for Inter Milan stopper Andrea Ranocchia, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.
With key defender Neven Subotic unlikely to return into action before next summer, Jurgen Klopp is looking to sign a high-quality replacement before the January window closes.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Millionaires are set to step up their efforts to sign long-term target Andrea Ranocchia.
The same source has suggested that Inter Milan would settle for a transfer fee in the region of €10m-12m.
Despite establishing himself as a first team regular at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, the Italy international was constantly linked with a move away from the club, and he finally looks set to quit the Nerazzurri.
Ranocchia was recently dropped from the starting line-up by coach Walter Mazzarri, which is expected to speed up his exit.
Inter Milan face Genoa away hoping to return to the right track, with the Nerazzurri available at 19/20 to claim maximum points.

 

Schalke's Huntelaar back in training

 

Dutchman Huntelaar, Schalke's first-choice striker since joining from Real Madrid in 2010, last played on Aug. 17 against VfL Wolfsburg when he suffered torn knee ligaments in the closing minutes of the game.

He has scored 49 goals in 84 Bundesliga matches.
"This was my longest preparation ever," Huntelaar, nicknamed "The Hunter", told reporters after completing his first training session following the team's return from Qatar. "Now the hunting season is open."
Schalke, plagued by injuries, have slipped down to seventh in the Bundesliga and are desperate for Huntelaar's return as they also prepare for the Champions League round of 16 match against Real Madrid in February.

 

Schalke keeper Hildebrand to leave at season end

 

The 34-year-old Hildebrand, who joined as an emergency replacement to injured Ralf Faehrmann in 2011, has lost his starting spot halfway through the current season after his younger teammate fully recovered from his serious knee injury.

Schalke sports director Horst Heldt praised Hildebrand's contribution in the past seasons but said the club was now focused on the future.
"Our task with any contract decision is to look ahead. In this position (goalkeeper) we want a different setup and this is something we have told Timo," Heldt said.
A Germany reserve keeper at the 2006 World Cup, Hildebrand has also played for VfB Stuttgart, Valencia, Hoffenheim and Sporting Lisbon.
Schalke are through to the Champions League knockout stage where they will face Real Madrid in February.

 

Sunderland flop Ji signs for Dortmund

 

The 22-year-old had a five-month loan spell with Augsburg last season, scoring five goals in 17 games, and in a convoluted deal has joined the club again on a permanent short-term deal until the end of the season.

However, once that short-term deal expires, the forward will move to Juergen Klopp's men on a four-year deal.
"Dong-won Ji is a professional who can play in several positions across the attack," said BVB sporting director Michael Zorc.
"We're pleased to be getting this talented player on a free transfer in time for the new season."
Ji joined Sunderland from K-League side Chunnam Dragons in June 2011 and played 28 times for the Black Cats, scoring twice.

 

Belgian winger De Bruyne leaves Chelsea for Wolfsburg

 

The 22-year-old De Bruyne, who also had a loan spell at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga last season, will train with his new team on Saturday.

"For me it was clear that Wolfsburg was my first contact point if Chelsea let me move," the Belgian international said of a move reportedly costing around 20 million euros ($27.11 million).
Neither club released any financial details of the transfer, although Chelsea were keen to recover funds after paying a reported 21 million pounds ($34.53 million) for Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic from Benfica on Wednesday.
"I want to play my part so that the club can continue being successful and return to the international scene," De Bruyne added.
Wolfsburg, German champions in 2009, are fifth in the Bundesliga with the season set to resume after the winter break later this month.
"Signing Kevin means we are bringing more quality into the team," Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking said. "He is a player with outstanding qualities and I am happy that he decided in favour of Wolfsburg."
De Bruyne started the opening Premier League game of the season for Chelsea, a 2-0 home win over Hull City, in August but quickly lost his first-team place and subsequently made only sporadic appearances.
The move is also likely to ensure more playing time for a player desperate to make the Belgium squad for the World Cup in Brazil later this year.

 

Real Madrid in summer bid for Thomas Muller

Real Madrid in summer bid for Thomas Muller

 

Catalan daily newspaper Mundo Deportivo understands that Real Madrid are weighing up a summer bid for Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller.
Los Blancos aim to further reinforce the attacking department in the summer and they have reportedly set their sights on the Germany international.
Mundo Deportivo has even suggested that Real Madrid are set to table a €45 million bid for the player’s services.
Thomas Muller has spent his entire professional career up to date at Bayern Munich, making a total of 150 Bundesliga appearances and scoring 52 goals.
He has been one of club’s most productive players this season, having managed 7 goals and 6 assists in 16 league outings.
Muller has also started all ten games for Germany in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, scoring 4 goals in the process.
It remains to be seen if Bayern would be ready to consider an offer from Santiago Bernabeu, but it would certainly take a mega money bid to prize him away from Alianz Arena.

 

Guardiola has improved Bayern, says Ribery

Guardiola has improved Bayern, says Ribery

 

Franck Ribery has hailed coach Pep Guardiola for making an all-conquering Bayern Munich team “even stronger”.
The German giants completed an unprecedented treble under Jupp Heynckes last season, winning the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB-Pokal.
Former Barcelona coach Guardiola therefore had a hard act to follow when succeeding Heynckes ahead of the current campaign, yet Bayern have continued to enjoy consistent success.
As well as opening up a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga by winning 14 out of 16 matches prior to the mid-season break, Bayern have added the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup trophies to their roll of honour.
And Ribery, who is on the three-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, feels Guardiola deserves great credit for his efforts.
“I think that when the coach arrived at Bayern, it was not an easy situation for him as we had already won all the possible trophies,” said the France international.
“But our coach is very experienced and proved himself while he was with Barcelona. He has won many titles and knows football like very few people do.
“During the last six months, the coach and us, together, we have done well.
“Our level was already very high last year but we are even stronger since his arrival.
“We are enjoying ourselves on the pitch and you can see it.
“I am really happy as we have won new titles and we feel that we will win many more with him.”

 

Feyenoord eyeing Bas Dost

Feyenoord eyeing Bas Dost

 

Feyenoord are keeping close tabs on Wolfsburg striker Bas Dost, reports Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
The 24-year-old forward has become unsettled Volkswagen Arena and is currently considering his options.
Having been unable to nail down a regular starting berth at Wolfsburg, the highly rated striker is open to the possibility of leaving the club.
And while Eredivisie high-flyers Vitesse were the first side to express their interest in Dost, latest reports suggest Feyenoord are also keen.
Namely, the De Kuip outfit want to sign Dost as a replacement for Graziano Pelle, who is widely tipped to leave the club for greener pastures.
Despite only recently returning from an ankle problem, the towering striker appears to be in decent form and has just scored his first goal of the season.
And having largely impressed during his time at Heracles and Heerenveen, it is hardly surprising top Eredivisie sides are locked in the battle for his signature.

 

Leverkusen want Sam extension

Leverkusen want Sam extension

 

Bayer Leverkusen are eager to tie Sidney Sam down to a new contract and avoid losing the Germany international on the cheap.
Sam has scored 11 goals in 19 games for Leverkusen so far this season, with Sam Hyypia’s side second in the Bundesliga during the mid-season break and safely into the UEFA Champions League knockout stages.
The 25-year-old’s fine form has caught the eye of potential suitors, who will be encouraged by a clause in Sam’s contract that could reportedly see him available for a mere €2.5 million at the end of the season.
Leverkusen chairman, Michael Schade is keen to hand Sam a new deal, keeping him at the BayArena and simultaneously removing the release fee.
However, the club supremo insists he will not be held to ransom if Sam is hoping to milk the strong situation he finds himself in.
“We are aware of the contract situation of Sidney Sam,” Schade told Bild.
“We would like to sign a new contract with him to ensure he stays at this club for more years to come.
“However, not at any price. This is a fact.”
Sam made his international debut in Germany’s close-season tour of the United States and has since maintained his spot in Joachim Low’s plans as the FIFA World Cup looms large.

 

Claudio Pizarro on Besiktas radar

Claudio Pizarro on Besiktas radar

 

Turkish giants Besiktas are lining up a January move for Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro, reports daily newspaper Fanatik.
The Black Eagles are determined to add several marque signings this winter in an attempt to revive their title bid, and they are now being linked with a move for Peruvian striker.
With Hugo Almeida the only player scoring goals on regular basis, Besiktas chiefs believe the addition of Pizarro would seriously improve team’s attacking department.
And with the 35-year-old making just three league appearances for Bayern this season, chances are that he would be interested in a switch to Turkey.
Besiktas are hoping to sign the forward on a cut-price deal given that his current contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
The Black Eagles currently trail leaders Fenerbahce by nine points, so no wonder they are priced at 18/1 to lift the Turkish Super Lig title.

 

Arsenal and Juventus join chase for ter Stegen

Arsenal and Juventus join chase for ter Stegen

 

Bild is reporting that Arsenal and Juventus are the latest clubs to have joined the race for Borussia M’Gladbach goalkeeper
Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The 21-year-old is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented shot-stoppers and it is only a matter of time before he leaves die Fohlen for greener pastures.
And while it is no secret that Barcelona are already hot on the trail of the highly rated keeper, Bild reports that Arsenal and Juventus are also keen.
It is not surprising that the Bianconeri are casting admiring glances the player’s way given that Gianluigi Buffon is not getting any younger, while it appears Arsene Wenger still have doubts over the quality of his number one Wojciech Szczesny.
Chances are that all three interested sides will step up their interest in the summer transfer window seeing as how it is highly unlikely Borussia will sanction a sale this January.

 

Borussia Dortmund falls to Hertha

 

Hertha Berlin made it three wins in a row to practically end any lingering hope Borussia Dortmund had of regaining the Bundesliga title this season with a 2-1 win at the Westfalenstadion.
Marco Reus gave Dortmund an early lead and it seemed like Jurgen Klopp's men were going to get the win they were looking for at the end of 2013.
However, reported Dortmund target Adrian Ramos brought Berlin level with his 11th goal of the season midway through the first half and Sami Allagui sealed victory for Jos Luhukay's men on the stroke of half-time.
With leaders Bayern Munich away at the FIFA Club World Cup, both Dortmund and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen had the chance to make up ground - but the latter could not take advantage either, losing 1-0 at Werder Bremen.
Santiago Garcia grabbed a dramatic winner in the 74th minute to ease the pressure on Bremen coach Robin Dutt, whose side pulled away from the relegation zone.
And they were worthy victors against a Leverkusen side who remain seven points behind Bayern, while Dortmund are a further five points in arrears.
Elsewhere, Mainz won a five-goal thriller away to Hamburg, who finished with 10 men before losing to Shinji Okazaki's injury-time goal.
The Japanese forward scored his seventh and eighth goals of the season and also set up Nicolai Muller for the second goal.
Hamburg had led through Hakan Calhanoglu and drew level in the 79th minute through Rafael van der Vaart, but they lost Tomas Rincon to a red card three minutes after that and it proved costly.

A Torsten Oehrl penalty earned Eintracht Braunschweig only their third win of the season as Hoffenheim failed to score for only the second time this season.
Oehrl had an early goal ruled out for offside but he made sure of the points from the spot in the 29th minute.
Braunschweig ended the game with 10 men after Timo Perthel was sent off, but they held on for a win which revives hopes of avoiding relegation this season.
Two goals from Admir Mehmedi gave Freiburg reason to be cheerful at the end of a tiring and gruelling first half of the season.
The Swiss striker scored two goals in 10 first-half minutes to help Christian Streich's men get the better of a Hannover side who find themselves in freefall, and just four points above Freiburg at the turn of the year.
Their best player Leonardo Bittencourt did grab a late consolation, but that may not be enough to keep coach Mirko Slomka, the club's longest-serving coach, in a job going into 2014.
Augsburg missed the chance to move up to seventh on Friday night as they managed only to pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.

 

Ribery rules out future Euro move 

 

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has ruled out the possibility of ever playing for another side in Europe.
The Ballon d'Or nominee is contracted with the current Champions League holders until 2017 and admits he cannot see himself playing for any other club within Europe.
Despite ruling out a European switch, France international Ribery has expressed his ambition of playing in the United States of America or the United Arab Emirates.
Ribery could follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and Thierry Henry who both made moves to the MLS in America, while the lucrative UAE Pro League look sets to prove an attractive for elite players.
"I would well be flattered by the chance to play in a country like the United States or the United Arab Emirates one day," Ribery told German sports magazine Kicker.

"Still I would not say this is a part of my general career.
"Joining a club there would definitely be a bonus. I will not be joining another Europe-based outfit any more.
"I am a player of Bayern Munich and there will be no other European club for me during my career."
Meanwhile, former France international Henry is backing his compatriot for the prestigious Ballon d'Or crown.
He told Sky Sports: "Franck is the kind of player you want to play with and obviously I would like him to win."
Ribery will discover if he has beaten off competition from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich on January 13.

 

Luiz Gustavo open to Barcelona move

 

Wolfsburg's Luiz Gustavo has revealed he would consider a move to Barcelona should they make a substantial offer.
The Brazil international only signed for the Bundesliga outfit in the summer, after leaving Bayern Munich in the search of more regular first-team football. Arsenal looked set to capture the 26-year-old, but he decided to stay in the Bundesliga in order to improve his chances of selection for this summer's World Cup.
But Barcelona still seem keen, and a clause in his contract has alerted the Catalan giants. "It's always good to have your name linked to Barcelona," He told Globo Esporte. "This is the third time there has been interest from them. I have a long contract which includes a buyout fee, and if anyone wants to pay that, they can sign me."
Last weekend, Borussia Monchengladbach narrowly failed to make it nine wins out of nine at home this season as Bas Dost scored a late equalizer for Wolfsburg as the teams shared a 2-2 draw.
Diego gave the visitors the lead early in the second half, but goals from Raffael and Juan Arango turned things around to put Lucien Favre's side on course for another win at their seemingly impregnable Borussia Park Stadion. However, substitute Dost struck in the 85th minute to deny Gladbach victory, even though the point still took them up to third.
Wolfsburg, who had picked up 17 points in their previous six games, nevertheless end the calendar year in fifth, just two points adrift of Borussia Dortmund.

 

Robben hopes for new Bayern contract

 

Arjen Robben has revealed he is hoping to secure a new deal at Bayern Munich, extending his stay at the club beyond 2015.
The 29-year-old Dutch international has had several injury problems which have hampered him so far this campaign, but that hasn't quashed his desire to remain with the European champions.
"I feel I am able to play at the very top of my game for at least three more years to come," Robben told newspaper Sudddeutsche Zeitung. "I would like to remain at Bayern Munich. The club is well aware of what I am capable of and I am also aware of the general quality of a club like this."
Robben has been at Bayern since 2009, winning the Bundesliga twice and the Champions League once. Earlier in the month, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger was ruled out for six weeks after after injuring his right knee in a German Cup match at Augsburg.
Robben was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was hurt in a tackle. ''I was in such a good shape, I was looking forward to every game and now this,'' Robben said. Robben had a deep laceration, club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt said after the Netherlands winger was examined at an Augsburg hospital.
Sporting director Matthias Sammer said he was ''endlessly sorry'' about Robben's injury. ''Arjen was in the form of his life and has helped decide so many games for us recently,'' Sammer said.
Robben scored five goals in the last four games. He scored Bayern's first goal in Augsburg, before being taken out on a stretcher in the 16th minute.

 

Boateng attacked in street on Christmas Day

 

Boateng escaped with only minor injuries after the attack, which reportedly took place in Kaarst on Christmas Day.

“On Wednesday, 25.12.2013, at around 12:45, an incident of physical assault took place in Kaarst. A 26-year-old man, a resident of Meerbusch, was physically attacked on the street by a currently unidentified man," a police statement said.
"There are indications that the motive for the crime is connected to the personal affairs of the 26-year-old. The man was mildly injured. Criminal investigators have begun their work."
According to German newspaper Bild, Boateng was leaving the house of his ex-wife after visiting his son on Christmas Day when he was struck by the assailant and fell on a vase. The 26-year-old later checked into a local hospital with bruised ribs, back and neck, the paper added.

 

Gundogan agent confirms Madrid interest

 

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been heavily linked with a switch to Santiago Bernabeu, and Gundogan’s father, who is also his agent, has confirmed that the interest is genuine.

“The interest from Madrid is intense,” Irfan Gundogan told AS. “They want to bid for my son.
“But at the moment, we can’t do anything until his back injury has gone.
“When he’s back playing regularly, then maybe we will talk.”

 

Drmic: 'I enjoy every day and moment here'

 

Nuremberg - Josip Drmic is one of the leading lights in an 1. FC Nürnberg side who cannot rid themselves of a habit of drawing games.
In an interview with bundesliga.com, he looks back on the first half of the season with the Bavarians, and why he is encouraged for the second half of the campaign.

bundesliga.com: Hello, Herr Drmic, Club Fans who think back over this first half of the season will probably think to the 3-3 draw with Hannover – a game which you led 3-0. What are your memories of that game?

Josip Drmic: I think that was more bitter for me than it was for my team mates – I was substitued when it was 3-1 and had to watch powerlessly from the bench as these two incredible goals fell. I almost bit my fingers down to the bone, it was such an unbelievable game.

bundesliga.com: Your coach Gertjan Verbeek seemed to take it more in his stride, even though the goal which made it 3-2 was clearly offside...

Josip Drmic: He surprised me. He remained very calm and collected and told everybody on the pitch to keep their cool because we can do without any suspensions in our relegation battle. We then played another really good game against Schalke.

bundesliga.com: ... and once again you played the way Verbeek wants to see you playing...

Drmic: Exactly. We pressed really well, got at them from the off and created chances. That's just the kind of football the coach wants to see. Earlier, it was always a case of us creating too few chances, but that's changed now.

bundesliga.com:What's the next step?

Drmic: Now we've got to defend better and strike the right balance between attacking and defending.

bundesliga.com: How would you sum up your own first half of the season?

Drmic: Overall I'm very happy, but that doesn't get us anything because the important thing now is that the upwards trend continues.

bundesliga.com: Back in the summer, you seemed very happy to have arrived in the Bundesliga...

Drmic: To be totally honest, I enjoy every day and moment here. The stadiums, the fans, the games, the quality – it's all on a different level to Switzerland. I'm really delighted here.

bundesliga.com: What's more likely – that you stay up with Nürnberg or that Switzerland get through the FIFA World Cup group stage?

Drmic: That's a nasty question, but fine, I'll say that it's more probable that the Club remain in the Bundesliga, but the World Cup is still a long way away and I haven't even given any thought to Brazil.

bundesliga.com: Then we shall wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014, with more success. Do you know what you will be doing for New Year?

Drmic: It's going to be pretty unspectacular with my family in Split. I'm really looking forward to seeing so many members of my family again for the first time in a long time.

 

Bayern loan Kirchhoff to Schalke

 

Munich - Jan Kirchhoff will spend the next 18 months with FC Schalke 04 after a loan deal was struck with his current employers FC Bayern München.
Kirchhoff, who joined the record German champions from 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the summer, is then expected to return to Bavaria, where he is still contracted for a further year.

Best option

"I think that this is the best decision for all three parties," said FC Bayern's chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. "Jan will certainly get the match practice at Schalke that he has not been able to get so far in Munich. We wish him all the best and hope that he develops well there that he will then return to FC Bayern in 2015."

The German under-21 international has been limited to just 11 appearances for Bayern this season in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and UEFA Champions League, finding himself regularly behind Dante, Daniel van Buyten and Jerome Boateng in the pecking order. He was involved in 18 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz in 2012/13, missing their other games due to injury.

Versatile defender

"We're delighted to have been able to complete this loan deal because I'm convinced that Jan can help us," said Schalke's sporting director Horst Heldt. "He can play both in the centre of the defence and in defensive midfield. Jan is particularly strong in the air, with his passing and with his tackling."

 

Huntelaar given green light

 

Gelsenkirchen - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has received an extra special Christmas present after being told he can return to training at FC Schalke 04 with his knee showing signs of a complete recovery.
The Dutchman will fly out with the Royal Blues for their mid-season training camp in Qatar on 3 January.

Comeback on the horizon

Huntelaar's injury woes started in August when he tore ligaments in his right knee, ruling him out for several months. After completing the necessary physiotherapy and rehabilitation work, the Dutch forward and 2011/12 Bundesliga top goalscorer returned to action in mid-October only to suffer an immediate relapse and be ruled out once again.

He has spent the intervening time building up strength in his knee and, after an examination by renowned knee doctor Ulrich Boenisch in Augsburg, he has been given the all-clear to turn his back on the treatment room and get out onto the training field with his team mates. Schalke will be based in Qatar from 3-13 January in preparation for the second half of the season, which may now include Huntelaar.