Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Sebastian Rode has insisted he is fully committed to the club amid speculation linking him with a summer move to Bayern Munich, according to Sky Sports.
Rode, who joined Frankfurt from Kickers Offenbach in the summer of 2010, will not be extending his contract at the Waldstadion beyond 2014, but remains fully committed to fulfilling the deal.
“After more speculation about my future emerged yesterday and since this took something away from the Schalke win and the great performance of the whole team, I would like to make one thing clear,” said Rode.
“I have a contract with Eintracht until 2014 and I am very happy in Frankfurt.
“During talks with the club bosses, I made it clear quite soon that I will fulfill my contract, but would not like to extend it.”
The Germany Under-21 international was reportedly attracting interest from a number of Bundesliga clubs, including Bayern Munich, in January.
However, in mid-January, Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director Bruno Hubner revealed that the club have no intention of selling Rode.
“It is nothing new that a number of big clubs are interested in signing him,” said Hubner.
“There’s a lot of speculation at the moment following his good performances in the first half of the season.
“However, we have made the decision that Rode is not for sale at any price and will remain at Frankfurt until the end of his contract.”
The club’s intention could change due to the 22-year-old’s unwillingness to sign a new deal.
In sum, Frankfurt, in all likelihood, will pursue a summer move for Rode in order to cash in on the Germany youth international as best as they can.
After all, any deal would be better than allowing him to leave on free transfer in the summer of 2014.
Rode has featured in 29 out of 30 league matches for Frankfurt, who are currently sixth in the Bundesliga table with 45 points, this season.
Alderweireld plays down exit rumours
AFC Ajax Amsterdam defender Toby Alderweireld has played down reports suggesting he is interested in a summer move to Liverpool, Sky Sports understands.
Earlier this month, a Belgian newspaper quoted Alderweireld as saying Liverpool “”meets my criteria,” but the 24-year-old has moved to rubbish reports suggesting that he has already agreed to move to Anfield in the summer.
“I have also read that Liverpool would be interested,” the Belgium international told Dutch newspaper Metro.
“I never said Liverpool would be my next club. Nothing is true about that.”
Alderweireld has made 40 or more competitive appearances for Ajax in each of the past four seasons, having made his professional debut in a 4-2 win over NEC Nijmegen on 18 January 2009.
The 24-year-old defender, who can play either centre-back or right-back, has also earned 23 international caps for Belgium.
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