BVB want Weigl to stay
October 7, 2016Borussia Dortmund is keen to open contract talks with defensive-midfielder Julian Weigl, amid interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid.
"We have the wish to tie him to a long-term contract. But we are not pressed for time because he feels extremely comfortable here," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told German daily newspaper "BILD".
The 21-year-old's contract currently runs until June 2019, but Dortmund hope to increase his wages from 1.3 million euros ($1.44 million) to four million euros ($4.44 million) per year, according to the newspaper. "We want to follow Julian's outstanding development," Zorc added.
Weigl signed from 1860 Munich last summer and signed a four-year-deal at Signal Iduna Park. An intelligent player with a crisp range of passing skills, the midfielder is seen as one of the most important players at the club.
After losing Mats Hummels, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ilkay Gundogan this summer, Dortmund's executives are understandably eager to tie Weigl to the club for the long-term. "Of course we want to extend the contract with him," chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told WAZ.de last month.
Real Madrid is reportedly in the market for a number six midfielder, after Casemiro was ruled out through injury, while Man City are coached by Pep Guardiola, a known admirer of Weigl. "I feel very comfortable here and I can imagine extending the contract," the 21-year-old told TZ.de in a recent interview about his future. "I would never have developed like this without Thomas Tuchel."