Bayern Munich insist Schweinsteiger is not for sale

iBet: AC Milan’s lead at the top looks temporary

Juventus lost the lead of Serie A in Italy at the weekend by virtue of their game with Bologne being...

Financial strife fails to dim smiles at high-flying Rayo Vallecano

This is a club that, despite all it's off-the-field financial problems, is currently flourishing in ...

Hertha Berlin and the Skibbe saga – a depressing tale

Perhaps, in a few decades time, some German writer will transform Michael Skibbe's excruciatingly br...

Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is not for sale.

After starring for Germany at this summer's World Cup finals, the playmaker has been linked with moves to Barcelona and Real Madrid, but Rummenigge has played down the media rumours and insists he will remain at Allianz Arena.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "No-one has made contact with us, but even if they did the response would be clear - there is no possibility.

"We are not going to sell any player. Fortunately, the club is in a fine economic situation."

Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs has suggested his club are yet to receive any bids for star playmaker Mesut Ozil.

The inspirational midfiedler has excelled for Germany at the World Cup this summer, but Allofs has insisted nothing has been placed on the table at present.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "Mesut had appeared to end up in the focus of clubs already before the World Cup was kicked off.

"Now he is playing a fantastic World Cup campaign, this is definitely increasing interest.

"But when it comes down to concrete bids, nothing has been done. We want him to stay on and actually there is no news.

"There are no indications he does not want to see out his contract at our club."

Schalke defender Christoph Metzelder is hopeful former Real Madrid team-mate Raul will join him in Gelsenkirchen ahead of the new Bundesliga season.

Raul, who has spent his entire career with the Santiago Bernabeu giants, looks set to leave after falling behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain in the pecking order and, with Karim Benzema at the club, the 33-year-old's future prospects appear to be limited.

Speaking to Bild newspaper, Metzelder said: "I understand him, I used to sit next to him on the Madrid team bus.

"Raul has the ambition to continue playing in the Champions League and is thinking seriously about Schalke. He is in top shape. He was injured only once in my three years at Madrid.

"He has a great personality and his presence would be a huge boost for this young team."