FC Bayern Munchen News

The striker says he is happy “for now” but wants to wait and see what the club’s position is at the end of the season, admitting they are not title contenders any longer

Luis Suarez is happy at Liverpool for now, but has hinted at doubts over his long-term future on Merseyside.

The Uruguay international has been in terrific form for the Reds this term, netting 17 goals in 24 league games, and has been a key figure at Anfield since his €26.5 million move from Ajax in January 2011.

“We will see at the end of the season what Liverpool’s position is – we’re not the Liverpool of old”

And the 26-year-old has recently affirmed his commitment to the Premier League side, despite rumours linking him with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich, as well as Juventus and Real Madrid.

The forward has once again stated he is “content” at the club for the time being, but indicated that fresh talks about his contract are needed in the not too distant future.

When asked by Marca if they should talk about his future in the summer, he replied: “Yes, we should talk this June or the next one, in 2014. My contract ends in 2018.

“My family is very happy here and I’m living a dream, playing for a club that every kid wants to play for. So we’re content, for now.”

Brendan Rodgers’ men, currently in seventh place and nine points off the top four, are aiming to get back into the Champions League this season after a prolonged absence from the elite European competition they have won five times.

It remains a tough feat though, with Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea all in the mix for the last two spots behind Manchester City and neighbours United, while Liverpool are without a win against a top-half team this campaign.

Suarez has revealed in the past that it would not take Champions League qualification to keep him with the Reds, but has now indicated that he may not stick to his word.

“We will see at the end of the season what Liverpool’s position is – we’re not the Liverpool of old,” he continued. “We’re coming out of a rough patch, but this is a transition period with a new gaffer and a different philosophy.

“The players enjoy how the manager wants us to play. All we need are the results and to finish in the Champions League spots.

“We would like to qualify for the Champions League if possible. We are young and growing as a team and when the players mature, we will be stronger.”

The versatile defender will ink a contract extension with the Bundesliga leaders later this week as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury

Bayern Munich have announced on their official website that they have reached an agreement with Holger Badstuber over a new contract until the summer of 2017.

The 23-year-old’s previous deal was due to expire in June 2014, but he has now ended all speculation about his future by agreeing a three-year extension, which he will sign on Friday.

Badstuber joined the Bayern youth academy from Stuttgart at the age of 13, and made his official first team debut against Hoffenheim in 2009-10.

The centre-back, who can also feature on the left, has since developed into an important first team member and has made well over 100 official appearances for the Bavarians.

The defender is currently recovering from a knee injury, and is expected to be unavailable for the remainder of the season.

The 42-year-old coach takes over at the Bavarians on July 1 and, on July 24, he will face his former club at the Allianz Arena in the Uli Hoeness Cup

Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich will play Barcelona in a pre-season match, it has been confirmed.

The coach, who enjoyed four silverware-laden years at Camp Nou before embarking on a 12-month footballing sabbatical, takes over from Jupp Heynckes at the Bavarian club on July 1.

And it has now been revealed that one of his first games will be against the Blaugrana at the Allianz Arena on July 24.

This means that just over three weeks into his reign he will be reunited with the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Carles Puyol, though he will now be tasked with taming the talents he once nurtured.

The teams will do battle in the Uli Hoeness Trophy – named after the current Bayern president, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to charity – having arranged to play each other during this week’s European Clubs Assembly in Doha, Qatar.

The last time the two sides came up against one another was in a 2011 pre-season clash, when Guardiola was in charge of Barca and Thiago scored both goals in a 2-0 win.

The winger has said that he was so happy to be recalled for Oranje that he does not mind what position he plays, but admitted life on the bench for Bayern Munich is ‘difficult’

Arjen Robben has said that he is so pleased at being called up for the Netherlands squad that he would be happy to operate even as a left-back if asked.

The Bayern Munich attacker was originally omitted from the squad that will face Italy on Wednesday when it was announced last week by coach Louis van Gaal.

However the winger was drafted in as a replacement for Klaas Jan Huntelaar after the Schalke striker pulled out with a facial injury.

“I took the first plane I could get [to the Netherlands], I’m so happy that I can be part of the group after all,” Robben told Algemeen Dagblad.

“The manager could have called a more specific striker. We’ll have to see if I can play, but I will even play as a left-back if that’s necessary.”

But the 29-year-old admitted that he is not enjoying life as a substitute at Die Roten but has said it is not something that he wishes to make an issue out of as the club chase a Bundesliga title.

“It’s difficult [not playing], I’m not going to lie about that.

“But I don’t want to make any problems, that’s in nobody’s benefit.”

Borussia Dortmund general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke has laughed off rumours that Robert Lewandowski is set to leave the Bundesliga champions for Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

A number of recent reports suggested that the Bavarians are close to agreeing personal terms with the Poland international, but Watzke has insisted that BVB have no intention to let go of the prolific striker.

“This is nothing but speculation. There’s zero substance in the reports and there’s not even a primary source,” Watzke told reporters.

“The fact is that Robert has a contract with Dortmund until the summer of 2014, and we want to extend his stay.

“We will sit down and discuss what to do next if he hasn’t signed a new deal by the end of the season, but we will definitely not let go of him for just any price.”

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old attacker has insisted that he will not make a decision on his future any time soon.

“It’s nice that clubs are interested and make enquiries, but I have told everyone that I don’t want to hear anything about it until the end of the season. I am focused on Borussia Dortmund,” Lewandowsi told Sport Bild.

“I will listen to everybody in the summer when I sit down with my agents. I don’t care about all the speculation. I will make my decision at the end of the season.”

Lewandowski has netted 13 goals in 19 Bundesliga appearances so far this season.