Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac has admitted that he is under a bit of pressure after the club’s winless run extended over the weekend. The Bavarian giants had gone three matches without a win across all competitions and that streak prolonged on Saturday as they suffered a shocking 3-0 defeat at home to Borussia Monchengladbach.

Speaking after that game, Kovac said that he cannot judge his future with the German champions but admitted that he may not have the luxury of more than a few games to overturn the club’s fortunes, he said: “I can't answer the question. I know the way things work in football and the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has backed compatriot Leroy Sane to rediscover his form for club and country during the ongoing campaign. The Germany international enjoyed a top season with Manchester City last season where he contributed 10 goals and 15 assists en route to their Premier League crown but he was still surprisingly excluded from the country’s squad for the summer World Cup.

Since then, Sane has not enjoyed a good return with the Citizens with just one start in the Community Shield but Muller has backed him to come good over the course of the season, he told Bild: “He’s an exceptional talent with abilities that only very few people possess. I think Leroy is mature enough, and I have great confidence in him for the future. [It’s the team’s responsibility] that we help him to reach his optimum level of performance with the national team.”

Colombia international James Rodriguez has dismissed the ongoing speculation over his future by citing that he is content at Bayern Munich. The attacker is presently in the second year of his two-season-long loan spell from Real Madrid but there have been reports suggesting that he could be re-called to cover the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking to reporters, Rodriguez clarified that he has no plans to returning to the Bernabeu with his focus presently on succeeding with the German champions, he said: “I think my future is here. There are a lot of rumours, they talk about a lot of clubs, but right now I'm thinking about Bayern Munich. When I look back at my first year at Bayern I am very happy. This year I want to win more trophies and also be a big help to the team.

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has dismissed the ongoing speculation of James Rodriguez heading back to Real Madrid this summer. The Colombia international is presently entering the second year of his two-year loan move from Los Blancos and Rummenigge has ruled out the prospect of the attacker being recalled.

Speaking to reporters, Rummenigge indicated that source from Spain have got the wrong information and he expects Rodriguez to stay put with the club for the upcoming campaign, he said: “Many things coming from Spain are not true. He will play for sure this season - and I expect that he will play for Bayern.”

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has reportedly emerged as a potential target to bolster the Chelsea frontline amid his desire to pursue a fresh challenge. The Poland international has found most of his success in the German Bundesliga but he is now prepared to test himself in a new league as he enters the latter stages of his professional career.

According to SportBild, the 29-year-old has been touted for a potential move to Stamford Bridge with Sarri expected to rebuild the club’s attack during the summer transfer window. It is added that the Pole’s arrival could trigger the departure of Alvaro Morata, who struggled to impose himself during his maiden campaign in the Premier League.

Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn has admitted that Loris Karius may find it hard to reclaim his Liverpool place following a poor performance in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. The German was at fault for two of Real Madrid’s three goals on the night and this eventually witnessed Los Blancos secure a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Speaking after the game, Kahn was astonished with the performance of his compatriot and admits that he fears for the future of Karius, he told FourFourTwo: “Words fail, I cannot remember ever having seen anything so cruel in a final, from a goalkeeper’s point of view. An evening like it can destroy a career, you need time to process it, as a keeper it was cruel to look at. From now on it does not matter anymore if he plays well, and he gets to hear: ‘Yes, today you were good, but do you remember what happened in the final?’”

Italian legend Luca Toni believes Mauro Icardi would be the perfect fit for Bayern Munich, should they part ways with Robert Lewandowski during the current transfer window. Lewandowski has evolved into a world-class striker during his four seasons with Bayern but recent reports suggest that the Poland international may pursue a move elsewhere.

As such, there have been plenty of a quality marksman linked with the Bavarian giants and Toni has backed Inter’s Icardi to succeed Lewandowski at the Allianz Arena, he told SportBild: “He’d be perfect. If a player wants to leave, you should just let him go. Icardi from Inter would be perfect for Bayern. He is a great forward and younger than Lewandowski.”

Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal has urged Renato Sanches to consider a return to Benfica during this summer’s transfer window. The Portugal international struggled for game time during his maiden season with Bayern Munich last term and this witnessed him secure a season-long loan to Swansea City last summer to the surprise of many.

However, the season did not go as planned for the Portuguese as he failed to contribute a goal or assist for the Premier League club and he spent the backend of the campaign on the sidelines with a hamstring problem. Speaking to reporters, Carvalhal admitted that Sanchez has not quite lived to his expectations during his Swans stay and he could better off returning to Benfica where he made a name for himself.

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has backed Philipp Lahm to join the club’s coaching staff as doubts linger over the future of Jupp Heynckes. The 72-year-old linked up with the Bavarian giants on an interim basis in November 2017, shortly after Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal from the head coach role.

Heynckes has since transformed the club’s season to put them on the cusp of a sixth straight Bundesliga title, whilst they are still in the running for the Champions League crown. Despite this, the veteran has repeatedly hinted that he would retire during the summer with ex-Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel touted by many to become the club’s new manager.

Germany international Mesut Ozil has confirmed that he has penned a fresh three-year extension with Premier League side Arsenal. The World Cup winner ended months of speculation as he put pen-to-paper on a new deal until the summer of 2021.

Ozil had remained tight-lipped over contract talks in recent months, but the signings of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are said to have influenced his decision to ink the extension, he wrote on Instagram: "Three more years with @Arsenal! It's been one of the most important decisions of my footballing career and that's why I had to think hard and talk with everyone who's important to me... Good things take time! In the end I let my heart decide. As I always said, I feel at home here and I'm highly motivated to achieve big things in the next few years. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner!"