Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that Shinji Kagawa has told them he will not sign a new contract, whilst they ruled out the sale of Robert Lewandowski.
Japanse ace looks set for exit
Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that Shinji Kagawa has told them he will not sign a new contract, whilst they ruled out the sale of Robert Lewandowski.
23-year-old Kagawa has emerged as one of the top midfielders in the Bundesliga with Dortmund, but his current deal expires next year.
Dortmund have offered him a new four-year deal, but after growing tired of waiting for an answer they told him they wanted a decision by next week.
Now Kagawa, strongly linked with a move to England and particularly Manchester United, has told them that he will not be signing.
Sporting director Michael Zorc confirmed the news to
Sky Deutschland.
"As of today he is not willing to extend his contract," Zorc admitted.
"I spoke to Shinji and his advisor last week and he is not willing to extend his contract with Borussia Dortmund.
"We have a Plan A and B and we will follow one of them.
"We won't gamble, but he has a specific career plan and he plans to play in England.
"We have to accept that, even if we don't find it good.
"While there is no economic need to sell him, he has a certain market value so we have to follow this with an economic sense.
"We will continue to have dialogue, but if another club expresses an interest then we will listen."
Lewandowski
Recent days have seen leading striker Lewandowski also linked with a number of leading English clubs.
But Zorc was quick to insist that he would not be allowed to leave.
"Robert will definitely stay with us, he is a complete striker and we need him," he said.
Lewandowski is in talks over a new deal, with his current contract running to 2014 - but reports in German claim that Borussia's first offer has been rejected.
