Bayern Munich’s sporting director has conceded that the “timing is not perfect” after the news that the BVB starlet had agreed to a move was revealed
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer insists the decision to announce the signing of Mario Gotze was not designed to distract rivals Borussia Dortmund ahead of this week’s Champions League semi-finals.
News surfaced late on Monday that the talented playmaker had agreed to join the Bundesliga champions this summer, forcing Bayern to confirm the news prior to their clash with Barcelona on Tuesday.
Although he admits the timing of the announcement was far from ideal, Sammer has refuted the notion that it was intended to unsettle their German rivals prior to Wednesday’s meeting with Real Madrid.
“If we would have wanted to announce the transfer (to affect Dortmund), we would have done it tomorrow, directly ahead of Dortmund’s match,” he told Sky Sports.
“The timing, of course, is not perfect.
“Our aim was to play the first legs of the Champions League semi-finals and then announce it in the middle or at the end of this week.”
Gotze had long been linked with a host of other European sides, and Sammer admitted the 20-year-old had been subject of a number of other bids prior to his decision to move to the Allianz Arena.
“Mario had incredible offers from other clubs,” Sammer stated. “I would say let’s be happy he stays in the Bundesliga.”