AGENCIES
BERLIN
Borussia Dortmund have opened talks with Bayern Munich over the return of Mario Gotze, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed.
Gotze moved from Dortmund to Munich for €35 million in 2013 but has not featured as much as he might have expected and a return is now being discussed.
"I wouldn't say a deal has been struck, but I can confirm that there have been talks with Borussia Dortmund as well as with his agent," Rummenigge told Sport1 television ahead of Bayern's friendly against Lippstadt on Saturday. "But it's not complete yet. The clubs must first reach an agreement over a transfer fee."
Dortmund are likely to receive a substantial discount on Germany's World Cup-winning goal scorer, with Rummenigge accepting Gotze did not meet expectations. Gotze scored 31 goals in 114 appearances in four seasons at Dortmund. While his scoring rate has improved in a dominant Bayern team, with 35 in 85 games, he has completed the full 90 minutes on only 27 occasions in three seasons.
"He's been here for three years and it's not worked out," Rummenigge said. "It's not surprising that he has had a change of heart. He's 24 years old and he needs to be playing regularly."
However, Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel urged patience, saying after their friendly defeat to 1960 Munich that no deal was imminent, "I do not think (Gotze) will be there when we land (in Dortmund)," Tuchel said. "It would be a big surprise. I think he is on vacation. For everything else you have to wait."
Tuchel also downplayed links connecting Dortmund with Andre Schurrle. "When my sources are right, Andre is on vacation with Mario Gotze," he added. "They deserved this. But I will not comment on this."
