Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has rubbished reports suggesting that Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller could all leave the Allianz Arena in the summer, Sky Sports understands.
According to former Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, the likes of Kroos, Muller and Robben could be seen as surplus to requirements by incoming Bavarian boss Pep Guardiola.
“I reckon Robben will leave Bayern in the summer,” said Hitzfeld.
“Muller is a very important player for Bayern. But if he fits into Guardiola’s concept, you don’t really know. He is a straight-line player and not exactly a silky-skilled player,” added the former Germany international striker.
“And it remains to be seen if Guardiola does not want a more dangerous player than Kroos in central midfield.”
Of the trio in question, Robben is seen as the most likely to leave the club, with the Holland international currently behind the aforementioned Thomas Muller in the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.
However, Bayern president Uli Hoeness dismissed Hitzfeld’s speculation.
“I really can’t say how Ottmar Hitzfeld can have such thoughts,” the club’s president told TZ.
Robben, who has two years remaining on his current contract, also rubbished the speculation linking him with a summer move away from Bavaria.
“I think it’s a joke, people outside of the club don’t know the plans,” the Holland international told Bild.
“I still have two years on my contract and we have a new era beginning next season and I’m looking forward to it.”
The 29-year-old winger has been linked with Premier League duo Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in recent months.
Now then, Kroos, Muller and Robben have bagged a combined 31 goals and 23 assists in 85 competitive appearances this season, with Muller doing the majority of the damage in front of goal.
The German Bundesliga leaders are scheduled to host their Italian counterparts Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on 2 April.
Ibrahim attracting BPL interest
Manchester City starlet Abdisalam Ibrahim — who is currently on loan at Norwegian Tippeligaen side Strømsgodset IF — is reportedly attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including the likes of Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United, Sky Sports reports.
Ibrahim, 21, is highly-rated by the defending Premier League champions.
Football Development Executive Patrick Vieira watched the 21-year-old produce a man-of-the-match performance in Strømsgodset’s 2-0 win against Sandnes Ulf on Sunday.
The academy graduate has found first-team opportunities few and far between since making his City debut against Scunthorpe in the FA Cup in January 2010.
Ibrahim, whose current contract expires in 2014, has since been sent out on loan to Scunthorpe, N.E.C. and Strømsgodset IF.
The Norway youth international has revealed that he will decide his future in the summer, with plenty of Premier League clubs interested in his services.
“I am happy the way that the season has started and it is nice to hear Patrick Vieira was here to watch me,” Ibrahim told Sky Sports.
“I want to continue improving and remain focused on my game and we will see in the summer what Manchester City plan to do with me.”
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