Perennial transfer target Mario Gotze has committed his future to Bayern Munich, according to German news outlet Bild. The Germany international has also parted ways with his agents SportsTotal.
A number of clubs were reportedly chasing his signature after it was revealed that Gotze did not feature in Ancelotti’s plans when he took over at the Allianz Arena ahead of the 2016/17 season. Both Manchester United and Liverpool were interested in signing the 23-year-old attacking midfielder.
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The Anfield side were in pole position due to his previous relationship with Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund. Klopp was ready to spend approximately £20m to bring the youngster to the Premier League but that now looks unlikely after Gotze’s comments.
“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.
Gotze on fringes of Bayern squad under Guardiola
Although Bayern paid Dortmund the full amount of £31.5m stated in Gotze’s release clause to sign him in the summer of 2013, he has found himself on the bench more often than in the starting lineup under Guardiola. The main reason why Gotze signed for Bayern was to play under Guardiola.
Klopp had famously said, “I cannot make myself 15cm smaller and learn Spanish. Gotze wants to work with this extraordinary coach that is Guardiola.”
But in the 2015/16 season, Gotze has started only 12 games in the Bundesliga and Champions League – barely over 1000 minutes this season. In all competitions, Gotze has scored six goals and grabbed four assists. Although he scored a brace in the last Bundesliga game in a 3-1 win over Hannover 96, it was his first goal since he scored against former club Dortmund in October last year.
Reports of Gotze wanting to leave the Bavarian giants cropped up due to his frustration at being left on the bench and wanting to play regular football.
Gotze and agents part ways
The German’s agents SportsTotal also released a statement to confirm that they were no longer representing Gotze.
“SportsTotal and Mario Götze end their six-year collaboration by mutual agreement,” a statement from the agency read.
“This is the result of a conversation SportsTotal CEO Volker Struth and the 23-year-old forward who met after Bayern Munich’s game last Saturday.”
“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.”
Gotze also had a statement of his own that said: “I thank SportsTotal for a very good cooperation with many highlights and great memories that have shaped my career decisively.”
