Wolfsburg’s director of sport Klaus Allofs says he can understand Kevin De Bruyne wanting to listen to what other clubs have to offer him, although he cannot see the Belgian leaving the Bundesliga club just yet.
There was further speculation about the 24-year-old’s future last weekend with reports of a near £50 million bid set to be tabled by Manchester City.
“I think some other clubs have definitely turned Kevin’s head,” Allofs told Kicker magazine.
“Some huge figures are doing the rounds and I can understand why Kevin is leaving everything open.
“He’s got to listen to the offers.”
Ajax eye semi-final
Ajax have set a semi-final place in the Europa League as their goal for the season after putting behind their Champions League elimination at the hands of Rapid Vienna with a strong start to the new Dutch season on Sunday.
After the 3-0 away victory at AZ Alkmaar, coach Frank de Boer said his young side can now aim for a long run this season in the secondary European competition.
“Our aim is to get to the Europa League semi-finals,” he said.
“I have a good feeling about this squad.”
Ajax must first get past FK Jablonec, of the Czech Republic, before the group phase of the Europa League starts next month.
Partizan determined to keep ‘gem’ Zivkovic
Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade are doing all they can to fend off wealthier European rivals trying to snatch talented winger Andrija Zivkovic, club president Zoran Popovic said.
Zivkovic shone in Serbia’s shock triumph at the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in June and, according to his agent, has drawn the interest of Chelsea and Valencia.
“We’re going out of our way to keep Zivkovic beyond next June and sign a new two-year deal,” Popovic told Vecernje Novosti.
“The board recognised instantly that he is a gem and we’ve already turned down plenty of offers from other clubs, whose agents keep calling us every day.”
Schweinsteiger sale right, says Kahn
Former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn says he can understand why his ex-club sold Bastian Schweinsteiger to Manchester United.
With Thiago Alcantara fit again, Xabi Alonso a regular, Philipp Lahm and David Alaba impressing in the same position, Joshua Kimmich signed from Stuttgart and Javi Martinez on the road to recovery, Schweinsteiger’s opportunities might have been limited at Bayern this season, even more so now that Arturo Vidal has arrived.
“I don’t think Schweinsteiger would have been suited to being a back-up player,” Kahn said.
“With that in mind, this decision is understandable.”
Arsenal deny Giroud suffered concussion
Arsenal have confirmed striker Olivier Giroud did not suffer a concussion after clashing heads with James Tomkins during the club’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.
The 28-year-old France international collided with Tomkins in the 76th minute at the Emirates and appeared to be dazed by the clash, but was left on the pitch after being assessed by his team’s medical staff.
The Gunners released a statement on Twitter on Sunday night dismissing reports that Giroud had lost consciousness after the clash.
“Update on Olivier Giroud: contrary to some reports, he was not unconscious at any point after collision today and has returned home as usual,” the statement read.
Hertha bus shot at by motorcyclist
Hertha Berlin’s team bus was shot at by a motorcyclist while it was travelling to Bielefeld railway station to pick up the squad ahead of yesterday’s German Cup match, the Bundesliga club said.
Hertha published a photograph of the damaged bus windscreen on their website and said driver Stefan Behrendt was unhurt.
“We are deeply shocked and hope that the perpetrators will be caught. Luckily our bus driver got away with just a fright,” Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz said.
“We are shocked about this attack on the team bus of Hertha. Luckily the Berlin colleague was not injured,” Bielefeld said on Twitter.
M’Vila available for Norwich match
Sunderland midfielder Yann M’Vila will be available to make a Premier League debut against Norwich despite being sent off at the weekend.
The 25-year-old France international, who joined the club on a season-long loan deal from Rubin Kazan last week, was dismissed for headbutting striker Jamar Loza during the Under-21s’ 3-1 win over Norwich on Sunday.
However, the Black Cats have confirmed that any sanction – an offence of violent conduct carries a mandatory three-game ban – will apply only to Under-21s fixtures only.