Transfer talk: Ilkay Gundogan looking at staying with Borussia Dormtund; Schalke beat giants to Johannes Geis

Ilkay Gundogan is now indicating he may spurn the advances of bigger clubs to remain with Borussia Dortmund, while Schalke have edged teams such as Real Madrid for rising German star Johannes Geis.

Ilkay Gundogan of Borussia Dortmund shown during a Champions League match in March. Alex Grimm / Bongarts / Getty Images / March 18, 2015

Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund playmaker Ilkay Gundogan, who was set to leave the Bundesliga club this summer, could stay on under new coach Thomas Tuchel, his agent said on Tuesday.

Germany international Gundogan had said in April he would not be renewing his contract that runs out in 2016 and was said to be in talks with a number of clubs for an immediate transfer .

"This is clearly an option again," his agent and uncle Ilhan Gundogan told Sueddeutsche Zeitung when asked about a potential u-turn by the player to stay at Dortmund or even signing a contract extension.

“There are several things in favour of Ilkay finding back to his old level and doing that in a familiar, comfortable environment.”

The talented 24-year-old had been out of action for 14 months before returning from a back injury in December last year. But a much-reported possible transfer to the Premier League, Spain and even Bayern Munich has not materialised.

Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page

After the departure of coach Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, Tuchel, a former Mainz coach, was appointed as his successor.

Ilhan Gundogan said the player had “now been thinking about it” – a possible stay – after hearing Tuchel’s plans for next season.

Dortmund, German champions in 2011 and 2012 and Champions League finalists in 2013, finished seventh in the Bundesliga and will compete in the Europa League next season.

Schalke

Schalke on Tuesday succeeded in luring German youth international Johannes Geis from Mainz on a four-year contract despite the interest of several German and European clubs.

The 21-year-old holding midfielder was reportedly a transfer target for both Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach while also having been linked with a possible move to Real Madrid.

“We are very happy that the most sought after player in the Bundesliga decided to join us,” said Schalke sports director Horst Heldt in a statement.

“Johannes possesses enormous qualities. His ability at set pieces, his precise passing game and his vision of where his teammates are make him already one of the best pros in the league in the defensive midfield position.”

Geis, who is currently competing with the Under 21 national team at the U21 European Championship, joined Mainz in 2013.

He has played 75 Bundesliga matches, scoring six goals.

“Schalke fascinated me, the stadium, the fans,” Geis said. “Something new is being created at Schalke and I want to play my part.”

Schalke, who replaced coach Roberto Di Matteo with Andre Breitenreiter after finishing sixth in the Bundesliga, will play in the Europa League next season.

FC Goa

Former Brazil skipper and 2002 World Cup winner Lucio has signed up as FC Goa’s marquee player for the second season of the burgeoning Indian Super League (ISL), the club said on its Twitter feed on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan defender had been playing at home with Palmeiras but will join up with Brazil great Zico, who is head coach of the club in the eight-team competition.

Goa, with a number of Brazilians in the squad, finished the inaugural season of the ISL second in the table before being knocked out in the semi-finals on penalties by eventual winners Atletico de Kolkata, backed by a Spanish contingent.

Last year’s headline signings, former Arsenal duo Robert Pires and Andre Santos, have been released by Goa ahead of the new season which begins in October.

“Lucio has been signed as the marquee player for FC Goa as he was strongly recommended by Zico,” co-owner Shrinivas Dempo has been quoted as saying in the local media.

“We have also signed another Brazilian Andreas and are looking forward for more signings that will boost the squad.”

Uzbekistan

Mirjalal Kasymov resigned as Uzbekistan coach on Tuesday following their 4-2 loss to North Korea in their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier a week ago with Pakhtakor Tashkent manager Samvel Babayan replacing him.

Bakhtiyor Ashurmatov also stepped down as coach of the Under 23 side with Viktor Jalilov taking over, the Uzbekistan Football Federation said.

Babayan led Pakhtakor to their 10th Uzbek title last year after going through the campaign unbeaten with the club on course to defend the title as they sit top coming up to the halfway point.

He will be tasked with steering Uzbekistan to top spot in Group H, which also features Philippines, Bahrain and Yemen, to ensure they take part in the third stage of Asian qualifying for Russia 2018. Their next fixture is at home to Yemen in September.

Kasymov had come so close to leading the Uzbeks to a first World Cup last time around, just being edged on goal difference by South Korea for a place in Brazil.

But poor recent form following the 2-0 extra time loss to South Korea in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in January ended his second spell in charge.

The Uzbeks were beaten 5-1 in a March friendly by Japan, lost another 1-0 at home to Iran earlier this month and were 4-0 down to North Korea after 36 minutes of their Group H opener last Tuesday in Pyongyang before the central Asians rallied.

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