Bundesliga and the rest: Domestic and European competition discussion

Official statement from RB Leipzig about Keita:

OFFICIAL: Naby #Keïta will remain an #RBLeipzig player until 30th June 2018. We wish to put the speculation about a January move to @LFC to bed. pic.twitter.com/Cilx09m24e

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) January 14, 2018

 

Köln are close to signing Vincent Koziello from OGC Nice.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/...kel_koziello-soll-koelns-defizit-beheben.html

 

Akanji to Dortmund is official:

✍️ Borussia Dortmund hat sich mit dem @FCBasel1893 auf einen sofortigen Wechsel des Spielers Manuel #Akanji verständigt. Der 22 Jahre junge Abwehrspieler unterzeichnete einen Vertrag bis zum 30. Juni 2022 und erhält die Rückkennummer 16. Herzlich willkommen, Manuel! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/79VFrXKz9I

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 15, 2018

 

Köln's Konstantin Rausch could be on his way to Dynamo Moscow.

https://www.ligainsider.de/konstantin-rausch_111/rausch-vor-wechsel-nach-moskau-236598/

 

AC Milan are reportedly targeting Thorgan Hazard and Leon Bailey.

http://www.fussballtransfers.com/serie-a/milan-zwei-bundesliga-stars-im-visier_86499

 

[Kicker] Arsenal meet the criteria of Aubameyang but as things stand no offer has gone in for the striker yet.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/...eyang-schon-einen-klub-in-der-hinterhand.html

 

Going to the Eredivisie could also benefit someone like Fabian Reese's development.

Mark Uth was also a similar case early on in his career. After spending a few years there, he was able to find his way back.

 

This could explain the other report linking Dortmund's interest for Jonathan Tah.

Marc Bartra is thinking about a move back to Spain. While Neven Subotic has been in contact with several clubs, most notably St. Etienne in Ligue 1.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/bundesliga/startseite/715100/artikel_stoeger-ueber-akanji_tut-uns-gut.html

 

Bernat has been very poor in the Bundesliga. Other Spaniards that didn't work out are Jairo Samperio, Bojan Krkic, and Coke. There's also the Barcelona academy flop, Alen Halilovic.

 

From what I've seen of Hinds, he's pretty bad. Just like Jonker as a coach. Both have no place in the BL. Doubt that Hinds survives it past next season.

 

Wolfsburg send Paul-Georges Ntep on loan to St. Etienne.

HSV's Walace is in talks with Brazilian clubs for a loan.

 

[Ruhr Nachrichten] Anthony Modeste, Olivier Giroud, and Michy Batshuayi on Dortmund's radar to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Aubameyang agreed personal terms with Arsenal but no bid has been received.

https://www.ruhrnachrichten.de/Spor...-um-Aubameyangs-Zukunft-beim-BVB-1247078.html

 

Kicker's report on the Auba and Dortmund striker situation:

Kicker: Dortmund are willing to sell Aubameyang but ask for no less than €70m. Targeted replacements are Giroud, Batshuayi and Smolov. #bvb

— Stefan Buczko (@StefanBuczko) January 17, 2018

 

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...al-pierre-emerick-aubameyang?CMP=share_btn_tw

‘Lack of respect’ – Borussia Dortmund hit out at Arsenal over Aubameyang

The Dortmund striker has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal and Wenger, asked about the Gabon international’s character, said: “Yes, a character can be very positive or very negative. Overall you look at achievement over career and if he has done well the character has been used in a positive way.”

Zorc was unimpressed by the Frenchman’s comments and immediately responded. “We think it is a lack of respect when you get involved with players who are playing for another team,” he said on Thursday.

“There is no contact with Arsenal. We can only assume that Arsène Wenger has enough to think about when it comes to the performances of his own players.”

Aubameyang, who has been suspended by Dortmund three times in little more than a year, could make a return to the first team for Friday’s game against Hertha Berlin. “He is an option for the game,” said the manager, Peter Stöger. “At the moment everything is under control.”

The Dortmund CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, said: “First of all it is about the important game in Berlin. Auba must now make it clear to the coach if he is ready or not to give it all for Dortmund. We will see about everything else.”

Hertha would be happy to see the forward miss another game as the Berliners battle to stay in the hunt for the European spots. Hertha are 11th on 24 points but victory over Dortmund could move them into the top seven.

“I hope he will not play against us. I would not mind if he transferred before the game,” said Hertha’s Salomon Kalou jokingly. “That would be better for us. He is an outstanding striker so it would be really hard to play against him.”