Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Mario Gotze after the German World Cup winner hinted at staying at Bayern Munich next season.
Gotze, 23, has been vigorously linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena this season after dropping down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola.
There had been suggestions Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wanted to reunite with the versatile forward at Anfield in the summer and that his former club Borussia Dortmund were interested in bringing him back to the club just three years after he made the controversial switch to Bayern.
However, both may now have to look for alternative options after Gotze hinted for the first time that he would be a Bayern player next season.
“I am looking forward to the new season in Munich and will do everything in my power to ensure that I am 100 per cent fit for the first training session under Carlo Ancelotti [who replaces Guardiola next month],” Gotze told German newspaper Bild, via DW Sports.
Injuries coupled with a loss of form saw Gotze only make 14 appearances in the Bundesliga this season, but he still managed to weigh in towards seven goals in that time (three goals, four assists).
For more stats on Mario Gotze, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
