Bayern Munich's chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has remained coy on rumours linking Benjamin Pavard and Ante Rebic to the club, but insists James Rodriguez will remain in Bavaria for the upcoming season.
Rebic, one of the stars of the 2018 World Cup with Croatia, plies his trade at club level with Eintracht Frankfurt, where the player formed a relationship with new Bayern boss Niko Kovac, leading to rumours that the attacker would link up again with the coach in the new season.
Similarly, Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard, a relative unknown until turning out for France at the tournament in Russia, has seen his future called into question, with Bayern credited with an interest in signing the 22-year-old in 2019.
“We've signing two new players, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry, and what's possible in terms of outgoings or other new players... we'll see,” Rummenigge told a press conference of the Rebic rumours, before turning his attention to Pavard.
“I can only say one thing about that (Pavard): I do not want to comment on any rumours.
“We've been confronted enough in recent weeks and many things that were announced yesterday by SWR (Südwestdeutscher Rundfunk) are not the facts,” he added.
Colombia star James Rodriguez, meanwhile, has seen his name come up in the media after impressing in the first year of his two-season loan move – which includes an option to buy – with rumours suggesting Real Madrid will look to cut the loan short.
Rummenigge, however, echoing statements already made by head coach Kovac, has made it clear that the 27-year-old will be going nowhere any time soon.
“[James'] contract situation is well known. Rumours that originated in Spain aren't true.
“I can say with certainty – and I'm assuming it'll go beyond this – James will play at Bayern [this season].”
Bayern's pre-season gets under way against Paris Saint-Germain in the International Champions Cup on Saturday July 21, followed by clashes with Juventus and Manchester City.