"?Bayern Munich has refuted claims of Mario Gotze being excluded from their Champions League squad for next season if he chooses to remain with the club.
In a statement via the "?club website, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge demanded that media sources cease and desist their reporting of false claims.
He said: "This is complete fiction. It remains the case that we will resolutely defend ourselves against all false or even malicious reporting using all legal means available to us."?
The player has been linked with several clubs since the end of the season, including Liverpool, currently managed by ex-Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, whom Gotze worked under during his spell as a Dortmund player.
Gotze has declared his desire to stay at Bayern and work with incoming coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian will replace Pep Guardiola as manager in short order, with the former Barcelona coach set to take over from Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City.
"I look forward to the new season in Munich and will do everything possible to be in top shape for my first training session under Ancelotti," Gotze said, according to German publication "?Bild, via the Guardian.
The 24-year-old was seldom used by Guardiola last season, making just 11 starts in the Bundesliga over the entire campaign.
It was widely thought that he would look to leave this summer, but has since voiced his intention to remain with the club for at least another season.
Bayern are obviously aware of his quality; he leads the line for Germany after all. It does seem a tad strange that they would attempt to push him out in such a manner.