MUNICH: Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has moved to end speculation linking Mario Gotze with a move to Juventus or England by saying the World Cup-winner has told them he does not want to leave.

Gotze’s future has been uncertain since he hinted at a problem with coach Pep Guardiola during the recent Audi Cup tournament in Munich.

Juve have been keeping an eye on the German World Cup winner, earmarking him as a replacement for Arturo Vidal who they sold to Bayern for €35m last month.

However Rummenigge, ahead of Bayern’s Bundesliga opener against Hamburg on Friday, said: “He has told the club that he wants to stay here. If nothing new should arise, then that puts a lid on it. At the end of the day, it’s up to Mario, and I’ve told him this. Of course there’s a lot of competition in his position.”

Gotze, who late goal won the World Cup Final last year for Germany against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro, struggled subsequently to hold a regular starting place amid speculation that he was regretting qutting Borussia Dortmund for Bayern in 2013.

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