Transfer talk: Bayern Munich not parting ways with Pep Guardiola any time soon

Manchester United will need to come up with €100 million if they want to sign Kevin Strootman, Roma coach Rudi Garcia said, in effect saying the Italian side would not let him go.

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola reacts during the German Telekom Cup soccer match against Borussia Moenchengladbach in Hamburg, July 26, 2014. REUTERS / Fabian Bimmer

The Bundesliga side’s chief executive said they will never fire Pep Guardiola, their coach. In an interview with Welt am Sontag, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chief executive, said: “Bayern will never sack Pep Guardiola. I can put that in writing today.”

When asked who would be the coach at the end of the coming season, Rummunigge said: “Pep Guardiola. He will be our coach on June 30, 2016. At least until his contract runs out.”

The newspaper asked the Bayern executive whether the German champions might struggle after the late return of their World Cup players, especially the Germans who won the World Cup, and what it might mean for Guardiola’s job security.

Guardiola led Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double championships last season.

Arsenal

The Premier League side signed Colombia’s World Cup goalkeeper David Ospina from French club Nice.

Ospina, 25, was one of the stars of the World Cup, with strong performances as his country reached the quarter-finals for the first time.

Arsenal said he would sign a “long-term contract” but did not provide details. French reports this week said Arsenal would pay about €4 million (Dh19.7m).

“David Ospina is an excellent goalkeeper, with good experience and a proven record of performing with Nice and Colombia,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Tottenham Hotspur

Lewis Holtby believes Spurs can thrive under new coach Mauricio Pochettino and the pressing and attacking style he brings to north London from Southampton.

“It’s a new development in the way we play, but it was very successful at Southampton, so I think it’s going to get us some places. I think we can develop into this new system very well.”

Manchester United

The Premier League side will need to come up with €100 million if they want to sign Kevin Strootman, Roma coach Rudi Garcia said, in effect saying the Italian side would not let him go.

United coach Louis van Gaal said he would monitor Strrotman’s recover from knee surgery before deciding whether to bid for the Holland and Roma midfielder.

Monaco

Radamel Falcao, the Colombia striker who missed the World Cup, should return from a six-month injury lay-off next weekend at the Emirates Cup, Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim said.

Despite rumours of a move to Real Madrid, Falcao is “for the moment a Monaco player”, Jadrim said. “I am counting on him.”

Hannover

Hannover strengthened their squad ahead of the new season by signing Austria international goalkeeper Robert Almer from Energie Cottbus.

Almer, 30, signed a 12-month contract with the Bundesliga club, where he will play behind starter Ron-Robert Zieler.

He may stand in goal when Hannover start the season, since Zieler is not expected back in training until early August.

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