DORTMUND — Borussia Dortmund have started transfer talks with Bayern Munich over attacking midfielder Mario Goetze’s possible return to Westfalenstadion, according to a media report.
Goetze won two Bundesliga titles with Dortmund before joining Bayern in 2013 but failed to secure a starting place in three seasons under coach Pep Guardiola, who has since joined Premier League side Manchester City.
The 24-year-old has also been linked in British media with a move to former Dortmund boss Juergen Klopp at Liverpool.
“I can confirm that talks with Borussia Dortmund have taken place. There have also been talks with his agent, but the deal is not done just yet.
Both clubs will have to reach an agreement over a transfer fee first,” Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Sport1.
The Germany international scored three goals in 14 Bundesliga appearances last season having only returned to fitness in February following a five-month injury break after suffering an adductor muscle injury in October.
“Goetze has been at Bayern for three years and it did not work out for him. I am not surprised that Goetze wants to leave. He is 24 years old and needs to play regularly,” Rummenigge added.
Goetze, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final, played four times for Germany at the European Championship in France, where they were eliminated by the hosts in the semifinals.
Swansea signs Aussie ‘keeper
Australian international goalkeeper Mark Birighitti signed for Premier League side Swansea on a free transfer Monday to become the fourth senior stopper on the club’s books.
The 25-year-old — capped once — signed a two-year contract with the “Swans” after leaving A-League outfit Newcastle Jets.
He faces a battle with three others for the No. 1 spot — Polish international Lukasz Fabianski, Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Gerhard Tremmel — having played under one of Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin’s assistant coaches, Gabriele Ambrosetti, in Italy.
Birighitti was named in the A-League’s team of the season last term.
Ibrahimovic to miss China tour
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Manchester United’s pre-season tour of China as the Sweden striker takes an extended break following Euro 2016.
Ibrahimovic joined Jose Mourinho’s side on a free transfer after leaving French champions Paris Saint Germain at the end of last season, but the Premier League club’s legion of fans in China won’t get a first glimpse of the marquee signing in a United shirt.
Although United’s 25-man squad for the trip includes Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Chris Smalling, David De Gea and Paddy McNair, who all exited Euro 2016 later than Ibrahimovic, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward was granted extra time off by Mourinho and is currently sunning himself in Los Angeles.
Ibrahimovic’s first United appearance is likely to come against Galatasaray in Gothenburg on July 30.
