|
BERLIN, April 19-- For days, several controversial reports about the progress of negotiations between reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and its team captain Manuel Neuer have kept German football fans busy. Media reports spoke of claims that the 34-year-old is demanding a five-year extension worth 100 million euros. It was more than a bold guess that the German international was far from happy after details came to light. Now the 2013 treble winners have fired back, complaining of whistleblower spreading inside information to the public. The 2017 World Cup winner said he was surprised about the presence of a whistleblower at this stage of the negotiations. "So far, I haven't experienced things like that at Bayern," the goalkeeper said. Insiders regard Neuer's complaints as a counterstrike against Bayern's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. The 43-year-old former Bayern forward has come under fire after being blamed for several leaks, and his future at the club is said to be uncertain. Neuer stressed that the reported figures are wide of the mark. "It should be clear to everybody that it is delusional for Bayern to agree to a five-year contract," Neuer stressed. Having turned 34, Neuer says it is not possible to predict his level of performance at the age of 39. "Therefore, demands like that, suggested to the public, don't make any sense," the keeper commented. Neuer repeated his claims to be the club's number one over the coming years. "As long as I address the highest standards, I expect to play." | 
