Bayer Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes is confident defender Jonathan Tah will remain at the club amid speculation linking him with Bayern Munich.
Tah played a key role as Bayer won an unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2023-24, making 48 appearances in all competitions and contributing to 18 clean sheets.
The centre-back also scored six goals and recorded the highest pass completion rate (96.47%) of any Bundesliga player in his 31 league outings.
However, Tah has now entered the final 12 months of his contract at the BayArena, and with no agreement reached on fresh terms, he has been linked with Bayern.
There have also been suggestions Bayern could wait until the second half of 2024-25 before attempting to agree a free transfer for Tah, but Rolfes is not worried about losing him.
"There is nothing new and nothing that makes me doubt whether Jonathan will stay with us," said Rolfes after Saturday's DFL-Supercup win over Stuttgart.
"He's an important part of the team and emotionally, he's totally connected to every team-mate, the coach and the fans."
Former Leverkusen striker Rudi Voller, who now serves as director of the German national team, also commented on Tah's future on Sunday, telling Sport1 that Bayern's interest had angered the Bundesliga champions.
"There haven't been any intensive talks on this topic for a long time, and that's what's a bit frustrating," Voller said.
"There was an enquiry a while ago, along with an offer, which Bayer Leverkusen logically rejected."
"Leverkusen is a club that doesn't like to let players leave for free. In principle, they would have liked to reach an agreement, but as of now, no agreement has been made."
Palhinha: 'I want to write my own story at Bayern'
Joao Palhinha says he wants "to write my own story" at Bayern Munich, as the midfielder targets silverware with his new employers.
The Portugal midfielder joined Bayern from Fulham last month in a deal reportedly worth an initial €50million (£42m), signing a four-year contract at the Allianz Arena.
Palhinha came close to signing with the Bundesliga giants last September, only for the Cottagers to pull the plug on a deadline-day transfer when they failed to sign a replacement.
The 29-year-old made the move having impressed during his two-year stint in the Premier League, completing the most tackles during the 2023-24 season with 152 (5.07 per 90 minutes).
He also averaged 8.38 ball recoveries, 5.44 completed long balls, 2.23 interceptions and 2.09 blocks per 90 minutes in the English top flight last term.
Palhinha made his competitive bow for Vincent Kompany's side in their commanding 4-0 victory over Ulm in the DFB-Pokal first round on Friday, with their Bundesliga campaign commencing against Wolfsburg next Sunday.
And following a trophyless 2023-24 campaign that culminated in Thomas Tuchel's departure, he hopes he can play his part in getting Bayern back in the winners' circle this term.
"When you represent a big club like Bayern, you've reached the very highest level," he said. "I've realised my dream, but I know I will feel completely fulfilled when I have success here.
"I want to write my own story here, and win trophies. I know last season was tough for the club and for the fans, and we need to give everything this season to try to win something.
"I expect a big challenge. I know that it's a tough league with many quality players. It's not easy here, but I'm looking forward to playing for Bayern and getting some wins under the belt. This is really important for us. Let's see how the season goes.
"I think people remember the players that win trophies, and write their name in the club's history. It's what matters. Players at big clubs that don't win things aren't remembered as much.
"We all want to win everything here. The staff, everyone. We need to fight with all the energy we have to win titles this season. That's really important for us."
On Kompany, Palhinha added: "He really understands football. He wants us to play his way, and we're learning a lot from him," the midfielder added.
"He's a top coach, and I'm proud to be playing for him. He will improve me as a player, and I'll give everything to help him and the team be successful."
Al-Nassr 1-4 Al-Hilal: Ronaldo goal not enough as Pro League champions win Super Cup
A Cristiano Ronaldo goal was not enough for Al-Nassr as they were trounced 4-1 by rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Arabian Super Cup on Saturday.
Ronaldo struck first in the 2024-25 curtain-raiser, tapping Abdulrahman Ghareeb's cutback home shortly before the interval at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium.
However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was seen angrily gesticulating at his team-mates as Al-Nassr collapsed in the second half, with Al-Hilal – unbeaten Pro League champions last season – running riot.
Former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in six minutes to take the game away from Al-Nassr, after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic capped a driving run with a powerful finish into the roof of the net for 1-1.
Al-Hilal added further gloss to the scoreline through Malcom with 18 minutes to play, the Brazilian stealing possession from goalkeeper Bento to tap into an unguarded net.
Data Debrief: Al-Hilal ruthless, Ronaldo frustrated
Al-Hilal certainly made the most of their chances on Saturday, scoring four times from just nine attempts totalling 1.8 expected goals (xG).
They were solid at the other end, too, limiting Al-Nassr to 0.77 xG and Ronaldo to just two shots – his 44th-minute opener and a wild 93rd-minute attempt when the game was already up.
Ronaldo was seen gesturing that his team-mates were asleep in the aftermath of Al-Hilal's fourth goal, as Bento's loose touch allowed Malcom in to make it a rout.
Paris Saint-Germain seal €50m deal for Rennes midfielder Doue
Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the arrival of Rennes midfielder Desire Doue for a reported €50m transfer fee.
Doue, who won silver at the Paris Olympics with France, has signed a five-year contract with the 12-time Ligue 1 champions.
The 19-year-old made 43 appearances in all competitions for Julien Stephan's side last season, scoring four goals and adding six assists.
Doue will provide the Parisians with another attacking threat from midfield, with the 31 chances he created last year a total only bettered by Benjamin Bourigeaud (69) in the Rennes squad.
He also completed the most dribbles (64) for the French side, while also outperforming his expected goals (xG) total by 1.62 in Ligue 1.
The teenager becomes PSG's fourth arrival at the Parc des Princes in the transfer window after the signings of Joao Neves, William Pacho and Matvey Safonov.
“I'm delighted to be joining Paris Saint-Germain. I'm really excited, and also happy and proud," Doue told the PSG website.
"It's a dream come true. I can't wait to discover the Parc des Princes in a PSG jersey and to play in front of these fans.
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