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      Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos among world-class XI of stars out of contract in 2021 who are available on free transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI and Sergio Ramos head the list of world-class names who are now into the final six months of their current contracts.
      And that means we could see some incredible free transfers at the end of the season.

      These players are all out of contract come the end of the season so will be available for free

      Lionel Messi made a dramatic U-turn to see out the final year of his Barcelona contractCredit: AFP or licensors

      Messi threatened to quit Barcelona this summer but decided to honour his deal while Ramos is holding out for more than a one-year extension at Real Madrid.
      But with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Memphis Depay and Sergio Aguero also running down their deals, plenty of clubs will be eyeing up some smart business.
      From January, players whose contracts are expiring will be able to start negotiating with new clubs over free summer moves.
      And could there even be a surprise return to the Premier League in store for Diego Costa after his release from Atletico Madrid?

      SunSport picks out some of the best players available for nothing next summer.
      GK – Gianluigi Donnarumma
      The AC Milan stopper burst on to the scene as a teenager and is still backed to be Italy’s No1 for many years.
      But with just months to go on his current deal, could he be holding out for one of the European superpowers to come calling?
      RB – Eric Garcia
      OK, yes, his favoured position is at centre-back but for this team he is going to have to move across.

      The Manchester City star revealed he will not be signing a contract extension at the Etihad and is expected to rejoin Barcelona after a summer move fell through.
      CB – Sergio Ramos
      Ramos takes the first centre-back spot as one of the greatest in that position over the last decade.
      Captain now Iker Casillas has gone, penalty taker now Cristiano Ronaldo has gone, the Real Madrid icon may no longer be at his peak aged 34 but is still a fine defender.
      Zinedine Zidane insists he will stay but Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Inter Miami or even a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Spurs may all be tempting destinations.
      CB – Jerome Boateng
      On paper, Boateng has enjoyed a stellar career with an FA Cup, eight Bundesligas, two Champions Leagues and the World Cup.
      But even then the German still leaves some unconvinced he is in the top bracket – however, you could do worse for a free agent and that is why Chelsea and Arsenal are linked.

      Sergio Ramos continues to lead by example for Real Madrid with the armband and spot-kick responsibilitiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The percentage of answers have been round up or down from their decimal points
      LB – David Alaba
      Alaba, meanwhile, has proven his quality time and time again – and in many different positions.
      The Bayern Munich star excelled at left-back for years but has since moved into midfield and centre-back, making it look easy – no wonder the giants are battling it out for his signature.
      CM – Luka Modric
      A serial winner for Real Madrid, ended the Ballon d’Or duopoly and took Croatia to the World Cup final.
      But it looks as though Modric’s nine years at the Bernabeu will come to an end following the emergence of Fede Valverde and others.
      CM – Georginio Wijnaldum
      A critical part of the Liverpool engine room which delivered European and then league success.
      Ronald Koeman taking over at Barcelona and Thiago’s arrival at Anfield led to speculation of a departure this summer – give it to the end of the season and he could well be lining up at the Nou Camp with no new contract signed.
      CM – Mesut Ozil
      Arsenal will be counting down the days until they can stop paying Ozil £350,000 per week, or £50,000 a day, or £2,083 an hour, or £34.72 per minute.
      The German signed his lucrative new deal in January 2018 and has done very little for the club since – and absolutely nothing after the lockdown restart, except offer to pay for Gunnersaurus’ wages.
      Turkey or the MLS both seem like possible destinations.

      Luka Modric became the first player other than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d’Or since Kaka in 2007Credit: AP:Associated Press

      RW – Lionel Messi
      We almost witnessed one of the most spectacular of all transfers this summer when Messi was ready to walk out on Barcelona after nearly 20 years.
      His loyalty to the Catalan giants saw him perform a U-turn so he didn’t take them to court and instead would honour the final year.
      But it would take a remarkable shake-up for the Argentine to sign a new deal as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain plot mammoth offers.
      Messi recently said: “I know there are a lot of people at Barca who still love me, but I’m going to do what is best for the club and for myself.
      “I don’t know if I’m going to leave, but if I do, I would like to leave in the best way possible and be able to return to the club in the future.”

      ST – Sergio Aguero
      Aguero is the greatest foreign goalscorer the Premier League has seen, breaking records galore and bagging more than 250 times for City since his arrival in 2011.
      But this season may well be his last if there is no agreement made for the 32-year-old to stay on beyond the summer – and he would not be short of options.
      LW – Memphis Depay
      Remembered by many for his failed spell at Manchester United, Depay reset with Lyon and has proven he is still a top-class talent.
      Like compatriot Wijnaldum, he was close to joining Barcelona in the last window but a deal could not get over the line in time – another impressive campaign in Ligue 1 will ensure the biggest clubs keep an eye out.
      Alternative XI
      Unsurprisingly, there are still a fair few names not getting into that star-studded XI.
      So here is the Alternative XI – and it is pretty strong with experienced internationals, Premier League kings and a World Cup winner.

      Another whole team of out-of-contract talented players could make up a second-string XI
      GK – Marko Dmitrovic
      The Eibar stopper is one of a number from LaLiga out of contract at the end of the current campaign – alongside Rui Silva from Granada and Sevilla’s Tomas Vaclik – with Atletico Madrid potentially eyeing Dmitrovic.
      CB – Romain Saiss
      The versatile Morocco captain has played more than 150 times – across the defence and midfield – for Wolves since his 2016 arrival and has the option of an extra 12 months at Molineux.
      CB – Jonny Evans
      At £3m, Leicester bagged a great deal when they landed the former Manchester United defender, who played in every league game for the Foxes in 2019-20 – don’t rule out a new deal getting signed.
      CB – Shkodran Mustafi
      Mustafi’s Arsenal career looked all over before Mikel Arteta’s arrival and a strong end to the season.
      But will he be needed next season with William Saliba, Gabriel, Pablo Mari, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers AND Konstantinos Mavropanos?
      Talks did take place with Barcelona over a ludicrous signing but surely even that would be a step too far on the list of bonkers Nou Camp transfers.

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance
      RM – Florian Thauvin
      The French wide man did not enjoy his best football during a spell at Newcastle but, back at Marseille he was enjoying his football until a cruel ligament injury which ruled him out for almost the entire 2019-20 season.
      CM – Riqui Puig
      Another graduate of the famous La Masia academy at Barcelona, Puig looked destined to follow the footsteps of Andres Iniesta and Xavi – but it has not quite worked out for him just yet, especially under Koeman, and he could be let go with Arsenal or Leeds keen.
      CM – Julian Draxler
      The German midfielder’s Paris Saint-Germain career never really took off as many expected following his 2017 arrival from Wolfsburg but aged 27 he will be confident of further success.
      LM – Danny Rose
      England’s No1 left-back for many years saw his career spiral downwards when Jose Mourinho arrived at Spurs and he needs to find a new club while he can still do a job.
      The 30-year-old walks into a fair number of Premier League sides – rather than just the Spurs U23s he has turned out for this term.

      Jonny Evans and Andros Townsend will both be hoping to sign new deals before the season endsCredit: PA:Press Association

      Danny Rose needs to leave Tottenham to get his career back on trackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      CAM – Angel Di Maria
      Not many players can boast a CV of clubs like Di Maria.
      But now well into his 30s, he will do well to earn another contract at Paris Saint-Germain and will need to be playing to get back into the Argentina fold ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
      ST – Arkadiusz Milik
      He may have already racked up more than 50 Poland appearances but it appears Spurs-target Milik is unwanted at Napoli. Turning 27 in February, he still has plenty to offer.
      ST – Diego Costa
      And last but by no means least is Costa. The fiery front man banged in 59 goals in 120 Chelsea appearances before returning to Atletico Madrid in 2017 – before ripping up his contract to leave for nothing.
      Goal-shy Arsenal and Wolves, who are without Raul Jimenez, are among the early favourites to land the Spaniard.

      The arrival of Luis Suarez saw Diego Costa leave Atletico Madrid – could a return to the Premier League be on the cards?Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      Man Utd star Paul Pogba confirms he’d like Real Madrid transfer ‘one day’ but insists he’s happy at Old Trafford More

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      Erling Haaland names three best defenders he’s faced and reveals Man Utd boss Solskjaer was one of his childhood heroes

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      ERLING HAALAND has named Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly as the three best defenders he’s faced.
      In a wide-ranging interview on his career so far, the Borussia Dortmund star also hailed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as one of his childhood heroes.

      Erling Haaland has revealed his picks for the three best defenders in the worldCredit: Reuters

      The Borussia Dortmund star also named Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as one of his childhood heroesCredit: PA:Press Association

      Haaland, 20, burst onto the European stage last year with his performances for Red Bull Salzburg earning him a move to the Bundesliga.
      The Norwegian recently revealed the seven strikers in world football that are better than him including Harry Kane and Timo Werner.
      And in an interview with local press in Norway, Haaland has lifted the lid on the defenders he has found the most difficulty playing against.
      He said: “I think the best three central defenders in the world are Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly.

      I think the best three central defenders in the world are Sergio Ramos, Virgil van Dijk and Kalidou Koulibaly
      Erling Haaland

      “All three are very physical, but also very intelligent on the pitch.”
      Haaland encountered all three centre-backs during a three-month period playing for former club Salzburg back in 2019.
      The forward faced Real Madrid captain Ramos in a 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat before his side were drawn in the same Champions League group as Liverpool and Napoli.
      Although he bagged four goals in four games against van Dijk and Koulibaly, Haaland’s side ended up with three defeats and one draw to ultimately finish third in Group E.

      The Norway international also touched on his compatriots whom he idolised as a child which included Manchester United boss Solskjaer.
      The pair ended up working together at Molde with Haaland consistently linked with following the Red Devils chief to Old Trafford.
      He added: “As a child, I watched John Carew a lot, I also followed Solskjaer and John Arne Riise.”

      Erling Haaland ruled out for rest of year after suffering hamstring injury in bitter blow for Borussia Dortmund More

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      Tottenham flop Christian Gross named Schalke manager in desperate bid to save Bundesliga basement boys from relegation

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      CHRISTIAN GROSS is taking up the reigns of struggling Schalke as they battle to avoid the drop from the Bundesliga. 
      And the former Tottenham boss, who was once given the chop by the Spurs, will have his work cut out with his side having failed to win their last 29 games. 

      Schalke will be hoping Christian Gross will help them end their 29-game winless run in the BundesligaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Gross, 66, who said he would be retiring from management in May, will take charge of the rock-bottom German side until the end of the season. 
      And the former Swiss midfielder, who led Basel to four titles in Switzerland, will be in the dugout when Schalke face Hertha Berlin in January. 
      Gross, whose most recent job was as gaffer of Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, is well known amongst Tottenham fans for his ill-fated stint at the club just over two decades ago.
      The former Switzerland international took charge in November 1997 – famously brandishing a London Undergound ticket – following the resignation of Gerry Francis and with the club flirting with a relegation spot.  

      However, Tottenham, who suffered defeats to Chelsea and Coventry, found themselves 17th with three games remaining in 1997-98 before securing a 14th place finish. 
      And Spurs’ poor start to the following season would lead to Gross getting the sack in 1998 before being replaced by former Arsenal chief George Graham. 
      Schalke, who have not won since January, believe Gross’ previous Bundesliga experience makes him the right fit. 
      The Swiss manager led Stuttgart to a sixth-place finish in Germany’s top-tier in 2010, after taking over as manager when the team were 15th in December 2009. 

      Christian Gross spent one season at Tottenham before being sacked by the club in 1998Credit: PA
      Gross said: “I want to feel the players’ enthusiasm at all times. 
      “We need to have a good atmosphere in and around the team to be successful again. I will give everything so that we can accomplish our goals together.”
      Jordan Schneider Schalke’s Head of Sport added: “The next five months will be all about managing to stay in the Bundesliga. 
      “Christian Gross has shown in both Germany and England that he can successfully take on challenges like this.”

      Schalke are currently bottom of the table in the Bundesliga after picking up just four points in 13 gamesCredit: Pacific Coast News
      Gross will be the fourth coach Schalke have had in what has been a troubling season so far.
      The former Basel boss’s predecessor David Wagner was replaced by Manuel Bahm at the end of September.
      Following Bahm’s sacking club icon Huub Stevens took charge of Schalke’s last two games of 2020.

      Jonjoe Kenny talks about his experiences at German club Schalke More

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      Classy Chelsea star Kai Havertz sends every Bayer Leverkusen player and staff personalised shirts for Christmas

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      KAI HAVERTZ has sent every Bayer Leverkusen player and staff personalised shirts for Christmas as a thank you for the support he was given during his time at the club.
      The 21-year-old sent his former team-mates, non-playing staff, club employees and club workers a personalised Chelsea shirt.

      Kai Havertz will never forget his time at Bayer Leverkusen or the people he met along the wayCredit: PA:Press Association

      He also sent a a box with the Chelsea logo on the front alongside his initials “KH”.
      Inside the boxes were cards thanking them for their support during his time at the club where he started his career.
      Managing Director of Sport at Leverkusen and former German footballer, Rudi Voller praised Havertz for his classy Christmas gesture.
      Voller told BILD on Sunday: “I was very happy about it and thanked him.

      “That’s Kai, he is and will remain a boy in our club.”
      Sporting Director Simon Rolfes echoed Voller’s comments and praised Havertz’s character.
      Rolfes said: “That shows Kai’s character. It just has style and class.”
      Havertz left his boyhood club for Chelsea in the summer for £75.8million, joining fellow countryman Timo Werner.

      Havertz joined Timo Werner at Chelsea in the summerCredit: Getty Images
      It hasn’t been an easy start to life in the Premier League with the German international admitting the switch has been “difficult”.
      Speaking in an interview with for Chelsea’s website, Havertz said: “It was difficult for me, especially because the Premier League is a completely different league. It’s more intense and I noticed that in the first few games.
      “It has gone pretty well for me recently but I think there is also still a lot of potential upwards. I want to exploit that in the next few weeks and months.
      “The intensity in the duels and the runs is much higher. It’s a completely different league and the games are very exhausting.
      “The Bundesliga isn’t worse but I noticed differences. It seems to me like there aren’t any average or bad players here – everybody is at a very high level.”
      Despite Havertz moving onto the next stage of his career, it hasn’t changed the love he has for his old club.
      In his farewell message he said the club helped him become a “person with values”.

      Havertz said: “As a little boy, I grew up here with a dream.
      “Here I have not only become a professional and national player, but above all a person with values.
      “Here I have made friends for life who will be with me for a long time. Bayer 04 have supported me unconditionally from day one.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Chelsea boss Frank Lampard thinks that new signing Kai Havertz can play in any position More

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      Tottenham target Marcel Sabitzer ‘interested in Spurs transfer’ and wage demands could see RB Leipzig sell midfielder

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      MARCEL SABITZER’S wage demands could force RB Leipzig to sell him with Tottenham interested in bringing the midfielder to the Premier League, according to reports.
      According to journalist Christian Falk, Spurs are interested in bringing the Austrian to the Premier League.

      Marcel Sabitzer has been one of RB Leipzig’s stand-out performers alongside former team-mate Timo Werner in previous seasonsCredit: Getty Images

      Sabitzer is one of RB Leipzig’s top earners with an annual salary of £5.5million, and the club would struggle to increase his wages, handing Spurs a massive boost.
      And the player is reportedly interested in a move to Spurs which would see his six-year stay at Leipzig come to an end.
      The player’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2022, and Leipzig could look to get some money for the player instead of letting him go for free at the end of next season.
      Spurs are reportedly ready to make a move for the 26-year-old should Barcelona come in with an audacious bid for midfielder Tanguy Ndombele.

      And according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Spurs are willing to cough up £45m to land the player.
      Jose Mourinho is familiar with Sabitzer, the Leipzig captain scored twice in the second leg of last season’s Champions League last 16 clash between the two sides to knock Spurs out.
      Leipzig went on to reach the semi-finals, beating Atletico Madrid before losing 3-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.
      Leipzig have got off to a fine start this season sitting third, two points off Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich as well as reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League knocking out Manchester United.

      And Sabitzer has played his part scoring three goals and providing two assists.
      Sabitzer would add a nice dynamic to Spurs’ midfield, offering options offensively and defensively.
      If the Austrian was to make the move to the Premier League, he would be following in the footsteps of former team-mate Timo Werner who joined Spurs’ rivals, Chelsea.

      Jamie OHara slams Tottenham boss Mourinho for his Dele Alli criticism More

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      Solskjaer makes new centre-back Man Utd’s No1 transfer priority… but move for David Alaba looking unlikely

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is prioritising a centre-back in January, according to reports.
      But Manchester United are reportedly unlikely to move for Bayern Munich defender David Alaba.

      Man Utd are unlikely to move for Bayern Munich star David AlabaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s No1 priority is signing a centre-backCredit: Rex Features

      Solskjaer’s focus is mainly on the summer transfer window.
      But United will move for a centre-back next month if an appropriate target becomes available, according to the Telegraph.
      Victor Lindelof has played alongside captain Harry Maguire recently.
      But Solskjaer is said to want more quality and pace in the position as he tries to steer the Red Devils to success.

      Alaba has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League – with Chelsea favourites to sign him – after Bayern accepted he will leave on a free at the end of this season.
      The 28-year-old’s contract expires in the summer at which time he will have spent more than a decade with the Bavarians.
      Austrian international Alaba currently earns around £150,000 per week at Bayern Munich – miles off the likes of Robert Lewandowski (£375,000) and Thomas Muller (£300,000).
      The German giants offered Alaba a significant pay-increase – at around £200,000, according to BILD – but the Austrian still felt let down.

      Alaba can sign a pre-contract agreement with non-German clubs in January but despite his availability the Red Devils are expected to look elsewhere.
      Earlier this week, Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge admitted the defender will leave but the club wanted to keep him.
      He said: “Bayern did everything we could to try and reach an agreement.
      “We had a lot of conversations, but we wanted answers from him by the end of October.
      “This didn’t happen and I don’t know if we’ll return to the negotiations.
      “What I want to be clear about is that our offer showed exactly how much we value him.
      “But he didn’t accept it.
      “‘He’s free to speak to whoever he wants from January 1.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      Jurgen Klopp gets in spat with ex-Bayern Munich ace Mehmet Scholl as Liverpool boss slams ‘he tried and couldn’t coach’

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      JURGEN KLOPP has hit out at Bayern Munich legend Mehmet Scholl after his comments about Dortmund’s new caretaker boss.
      The Liverpool boss said Scholl knows as much about coaching as he does about car manufacturing in a blistering attack.

      Jurgen Klopp took a swipe at former Bayern Munich player Mehmet SchollCredit: Tom Jenkins/ The Guardian

      Scholl was a Bayern Munich stalwart as a player – but his managerial career didn’t take offCredit: AP:Associated Press

      It comes after Edin Terzic, 38, was appointed Dortmund caretaker manager to replace the sacked Lucien Favre.
      Terzic worked for Dortmund’s youth team while Klopp was in charge of the Bundesliga side.
      According to BILD, Scholl said of Terzic: “There is not much in his words. It’s like saying the sun will shine tomorrow. His analysis is not tangible.”
      Scholl played over 300 league games for Bayern Munich but his managerial career wasn’t as fruitful.

      He was manager of the Bayern U23 and reserve teams but hasn’t managed since 2013.
      And Klopp said: “What is Mehmet Scholl’s raison d’être to judge coaches?
      “It’s kind of like talking about car manufacturing. I have no idea about that either.
      “Mehmet Scholl feels called to break the baton with young German coaches. I hate to comment on such things, but he always talks about people he doesn’t know.”

      Edin Terzic was named as Dortmund’s caretaker managerCredit: Getty Images
      The Reds boss added: “He tried it as a trainer, he couldn’t do it, and now he’s talking about it as if he had eaten the wisdom with spoons.
      “He talks about how he can no longer hear all of this. This was the first time that one of the trainers spoke.
      “How can you no longer want to hear something from someone who expresses himself for the first time?”
      Klopp led Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles at Dortmund, ending Bayern Munich’s dominance.

      He took a break from football before being appointed by Liverpool in 2015.
      And the German boss has taken the Reds from mid-table mediocrity to kings of Europe and domestic champions once again.
      Liverpool won the 2019 Champions League under Klopp and last season ended their 30-year wait to win England’s top-flight.

      Jurgen Klopp reads out touching letter to Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson during SPOTY More

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      Mario Gotze reveals he held talks with Bayern Munich over free transfer this summer after Dortmund release

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      MARIO GOTZE has revealed that he held talks over a shock return to Bayern Munich this summer.
      The German controversially joined the Bavarian giants from Borussia Dortmund for £33million back in 2013.

      Gotze starred for Bayern between 2013 and 2016Credit: Bongarts – Getty

      After falling out of favour with old boss Pep Guardiola, however, Gotze returned to Dortmund three years later.
      Health and injury issues saw his form fluctuate upon his return, and he was largely ditched by Lucien Favre last season, before leaving Signal Iduna Park for a second time upon the end of his contract.
      Gotze, 28, went on to join PSV Eindhoven, where he appears to have found form and confidence once again.
      But it could have been very different.

      The 2014 World Cup winner has revealed that he could have crossed the divide between Dortmund and Bayern again.
      He told Bild: “In the summer we spoke openly about my future, about Bayern’s plans.
      “They said that they value me as a person and a player and that they could have taken me back to Bayern again.
      “Hansi (Flick) has as tight a schedule at Bayern as I do at PSV.

      The German is now flourishing at PSVCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “He’s an excellent coach. To take over a team in the middle of the season and lead them to a treble is impressive.”
      As it happened, Gotze signed for PSV instead, and has had a positive start to life in the Netherlands.
      He has scored three times and laid on two assists in his first eight Eredivisie appearances.
      And in terms of his happiness, he feels nine out of ten.
      He continued: “You can tell that pretty easily from my playing time. In January, it was a two. Now it’s a nine, and on the way to ten.

      I don’t want to rule out a return to the Bundesliga
      Mario Gotze

      “On the one hand, because I am playing almost every game. And on the other hand, because we are doing very well in every competition.
      “This combination gives me a very good feeling.
      “I don’t want to rule out a return to the Bundesliga. Both options are conceivable for me.
      “But now I’m in Eindhoven and I’m fully focused on our goals.”

      Borussia Dortmund legend Mario Gotze joins PSV on free transfer as World Cup winner signs two-year contract More