FC Bayern Munich have ruled out the possibility of midfielder Toni Kroos leaving the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Kroos, whose current contract at the Allianz Arena expires at the end of next season, has been heavily linked with a summer move to English Premier League strugglers Manchester United.
However, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and manager Pep Guardiola have moved to rubbish the aforementioned reports, insisting the maestro will stay in Munich ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against United in midweek.
“Toni Kroos is sure to play in a Bayern Munich shirt next year as well,” Rummenigge told reporters on Monday.
Guardiola added: “Toni has one year more of a contract and Toni will remain.
“I hope he can extend his contract and stay with us because he is a very good guy, he loves his game, it is not just a job for him and I would like him to stay.
“I spoke with the player, with the club, I gave my opinion. After that I am not manager, I am just the trainer.”
For the second consecutive season, Bayern — priced at 9/5 to win the Champions League this term — have wrapped up the Bundesliga title in record time, having been crowned German champions with seven league fixtures remaining.
The Bavarian giants are expected to give Manchester United a stern test at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, so much so that the visitors are overwhelming favoured at 1/2 to win the game.
Can under-fire United boss David Moyes turn the Red Devils nightmare 2013/14 campaign around with a shock win over Bayern? Don’t bet on it.
Evra yet to decide future
In other news, the future of Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra remains undecided, according to the player’s agent Federico Pastorello.
It has been suggested the France international, 32, could return to former club AS Monaco FC when his current deal expires in June, while Italian Serie A side Internazionale are also reporting keen on the Frenchman.
Due to the emergence of Layvin Kurzawa, a summer move to the Stade Louis II will not guarantee Evra a place in Claudio Ranieri’s starting XI.
Thus, following United team-mate Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan seems like the best possible option for the 32-year-old defender.
“Patrice has to decide what to do with his future,” Pastorello told Tele Radio Stereo (per Sky Sports).
“He is very close to United, but lately things have changed a little.
“Could he come back to Italy? Patrice has always highly regarded Serie A and so, if he were to leave England, it could be a possibility.
“But at the moment it is still too early to talk about next season.”
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