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Sat May 26 19:22:49 SAST 2012

Dortmund relaxed at Bayern's interest in Goetze

Sapa-AFP | 03 September, 2011 16:48
Dortmund's Goetze reacts during their German Bundesliga soccer match against Hoffenheim in Sinsheim
Borussia Dortmund's Mario Goetze reacts during their Bundesliga match against TSG Hoffenheim in Sinsheim August 13, 2011
Image by: THOMAS BOHLEN / REUTERS

Borussia Dortmund general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke said on Saturday that he is relaxed about any interest shown by Bayern Munich in rising teenage star Mario Goetze.

The 19-year-old came off the bench to score Germany’s final goal  in their 6-2 rout of Austria on Friday in a Euro 2012 qualifer as the hosts confirmed their place at next year’s finals in Poland and  Ukraine.

Germany coach Joachim Loew has said he expects to include Goetze  in the starting line-up for Tuesday’s friendly against Poland in Gdansk.

Goetze is under contract until June 2014 and despite Dortmund having already insisted they will not sell their midfield star to a  Bundesliga rival, Bayern president Uli Hoeness has said they are interested in signing him.

The Bavarians have a reputation for snapping up the best talent available in Germany and in the last few seasons have paid out millions of euros to sign the likes of striker Mario Gomez and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

However Watzke insists reigning Bundesliga champions Dortmund are not concerned.

“We remain completely at ease. Those are just little games, as we’ve seen for probably 15 years,” the Dortmund boss told German daily Bild in response to Hoeness’ comments.

“Every club would like a player like Mario Goetze in their ranks, even Bayern.

“But not every prediction Hoeness has ever made has come to fruition in the end.”  

While Goetze has said he will never play for Bayern, Hoeness said it is only a matter of time before they talk.

“Many have claimed they will never go to Bayern,” said the Bayern boss.

“I’m not worried, if he keeps playing so well and we have a very  attractive team, then we will eventually get into a conversation (with him).

“It would be a fine thing to have such a good player at Bayern.” 

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