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Whether or not they qualify for the Champions League, Bayern Munich will not sell Arjen Robben, confirmed Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
In recent weeks, Milan have been linked with the 27-year old, though a club insider admitted in March that a bid would be contingent on the player's availability. Assuming Rummenigge keeps his word, Robben will be off the market this summer.
"We all want to play in the Champions League and must now do everything we can to still make it," Rummenigge told Bild. "But one thing is 100% certain, and that is that Arjen Robben will be playing for FC Bayern next season, no matter what happens."
Yesterday, Robben's future came into question when he declined to confirm whether he would remain at the German club after this season. However, he also added: "I am happy here in Munich and want to stay here."
Bayern are currently fourth in the Bundesliga standings, two points behind Hannover. The German record champions need to finish third or better in order to qualify for the Champions League. Robben has previously stated that he has no intent to play in the Europa League, meaning that rumours of his potential departure could resurface in the event that Bayern fail to overcome Hannover.
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Clarence Seedorf insists Milan can end the Scudetto debate against Inter, and must prove they can clinch the crown...
Clarence Seedorf insists it's down to Milan to prove they can win the Scudetto in Saturday's Derby della Madonnina showdown against Inter.
The gap at the Serie A summit has been reduced to two points after the Rossoneri lost 1-0 in their last league outing in Palermo, allowing Leonardo's Nerazzurri to close in.
Seedorf hopes that Milan can remain in command, and he told the press: "Inter are a very strong team, but it's down to us to show that we can win the title.
"We have worked well for the game and there is enthusiasm, despite our league form faltering. But every game has its own story. I think it will be a great game for Italian football."
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Milito hopes that he will take to the pitch in the Milan derby…
Inter striker Diego Milito has declared that he is fit to play against Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Saturday evening.
Milito hasn’t played a competitive game for Inter since their 5-3 victory over Roma in Serie A in the first week of February because of a thigh injury. However, he has been training with the Inter squad since March 13 and appears to have put behind his fifth setback of the season. Speaking to Il Corriere della Sera, Milito said: “Now I'm fine. The injury has been overcome. We hope nothing more happens to me. I have worked well in the last 20 days.
“I am thinking about being ready to return. Leonardo needs to answer that question. He will judge. He will decide. There are three games to play between April 2 and 9. We'll see.”
The Argentina international is also delighted that they have resurrected their season after a disappointing first half and are on the verge of winning their fifth successive on-pitch Scudetto.
“It's a beautiful derby,” enthused the 31-year-old. “We have the chance to overtake Milan, which would give us an extraordinary boost.
“It was difficult to imagine after the defeat [to Milan] earlier this season that we would manage to close the gap and get to within two points. It took many victories from us and a slowing down from Milan. It happened.”
Milito continued: “Now we are masters of our own destiny again, but this doesn't mean that the derby won't be very difficult. Milan's qualities are clear to everyone. But we have a big chance, because we are living a moment that would have been difficult to imagine three months ago.”
Inter are two points behind leaders Milan in second place in the league standings and will overtake the Rossoneri with a victory on Saturday.
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Villarreal Santi Cazorla says beating Barcelona is not impossible, but is aware of the quality the champions possess...
Villarreal midfielder Santi Cazorla has acknowledged Barcelona's dominance in La Liga, but he is of the belief that victory is possible for his team when the champions visit El Madrigal on Saturday.
The Yellow Submarines are currently third and are trying to stop Valencia, who are away at Getafe, from overhauling them.
Spanish international Cazorla is hoping they can maintain a steady course for a Champions League place, but knows it will take a massive effort to push past a Barca side who have lost just once all season.
"Today Barcelona are a reference for football, for what they have won and how they play. But, our objective is to get the three points, even though we know it will be very difficult," he told Marca.
"We have to play in our style, we won't change this, as we want to keep hold of third place from Valencia."
Asked whether his club can do Real Madrid a favour in terms of the title race, he added: "Real Madrid are a great side and they will carry on fighting until the end."
Cazorla has scored five goals in 28 games for his side this term, making him their highest scoring midfielder.
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Inter chief Marco Branca confirms serious interest for Udinese ace Sanchez, but is unsure of the price tag...
Inter's transfer director Marco Branca has admitted the club are eager to pursue a move for Udinese winger Alexis Sanchez, but added they are not prepared to pay €35 million for him.
Sanchez has scored 12 goals in 27 league games, and has formed a good understanding with striker Antonio Di Natale, who has netted on 25 occasions so far this season.
The Chilean has reportedly attracted interest from several Serie A clubs, as well as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea, but club chiefs have in the past made their valuation clear - a figure that Branca feels may fall outside their transfer budget.
He told the Inter Channel: "Sanchez has exploded so much ever since I spoke with Udinese about him.
"But, if we have to move on those cash figures, then I think it will be difficult. If however the price varies, then he is a player we surely are interested in."
Inter take on Milan in the city derby this weekend, and are two points behind the table-topping Rossoneri prior to kick-off.
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Inter forward Samuel Eto’o has played down the importance of the Milan derby in respect to the title race on Saturday...
Inter striker Samuel Eto’o believes that the winners of Saturday evening’s Derby della Madonnina will not necessarily clinch the Serie A title.
Milan and Inter confront each other at San Siro tomorrow in what is being billed as the title-decider. The Rossoneri are two points clear at the top of the table but Leonardo’s side could leapfrog them into pole position with a victory.
However, Nerazzurri striker Eto’o says that Saturday’s Milan derby will not settle the race for the Scudetto and believes that there could be more twists and turns in the championship thereafter
"The derby is a game that can change the course of the championship for just one week," the Cameroonian told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "After the game there will be another seven matches to go and only the last four rounds will decide who wins it."
Eto’o also stated his belief that Milan are the favourites to win Serie A and is also glad that striker Filippo Inzaghi will not play because of a knee injury.
"But it all depends on Milan because they are first at the minute,” said the 30-year-old. “If they win all of their remaining games then they will take the title. They are the favourites, the favourites are always the team who are first."
"It's good that my great friend Pippo Inzaghi isn't available," he added. “He's one of the best centre-forwards in the world, one who hurts you when you least expect it."
Eto’o has scored 19 goals and provided six assists in 27 league appearances for Inter so far this campaign.
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