Gotze above EPL sides, says Watzke

Borussia Dortmund star Mario Gotze would be beneath transfers to Arsenal and Liverpool, according to general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke.

The Germany international is continually being linked with a move abroad, but the Dortmund chief is adamant the midfielder would have more chance of winning silverware at his current club than at one of the Premier League sides.

“Mario has said that he has no intention of leaving the club in the foreseeable future and his representatives have said the same. And we will not let go of him,” Watzke told Sport Bild.

“How many teams are there really that would be a step up for him? Liverpool or Arsenal? I’m sorry, but when will they win a title again? Not anytime soon.”

Watzke then went onto discuss Dortmund’s chances of Champions League success, and was under no illusions as to the strength of the competition that they will face in the knockout stages.

“There are at least five or six teams that have a better chance of winning the competition. However, the gap with the top five in Europe is not too big,” he said.

The Champions League round-of-16 draw takes place next Thursday.