Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund Play Mind Tricks Over Marco Reus

As Marco Reus is attempting to recapture his world-class form after being injured for three months, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are engaging in a war of words over his future.

The Bavarian-based club signed Mario Gotze from their biggest rival last year and this offseason signed Robert Lewandoski. Now the 23-time Bundesliga champions are already scheming on Reus for next summer’s transfer window. The first attacks in the mind game warfare was when German legend and Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that the 2012 German Footballer of the Year winner’s release contract in his contract was only €25 million. In another interview, Rummenigge said “I believe that it is difficult for Borussia Dortmund [to keep him], [because of] the buy-out clause for Reus. The player has high demand among the European top clubs, regardless of Bayern.”

Soccer icon and Bayern’s honorary president Franz Beckenbauer contributed to the Reus rumors when he told Bild, a German newspaper, “I can imagine him at Bayern very well. If he doesn’t go to Bayern in 2015, he will probably go to another big club like Real Madrid or Manchester United.”

Borussia Dortmund know that they’re not a global power like the clubs mentioned above but it must hurt when you’re biggest competition for titles in Germany is publicly embarrassing you by stating that’s inevitable for your best player to leave for the third year in a row. Dortmund’s CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzke, spoke to Bild about the controversy around Bayern’s legends discussing the future of his player.

“It’s a nice party game that everyone talks about it. It’s annoying! But gradually everyone will have something to say about it,” said Watzke.

The five-time Bundesliga champions even released a statement on their website expressing frustration with Rummenigge’s media campaign.

“Borussia Dortmund has noted with some irritation that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is currently discussing internal BVB matters in a three-day rhythm in the media. We are sure that it is quite clear to anybody interested in football what intentions lie behind such remarks. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is also fully aware that his behavior is only going to further damage an already tense relationship between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Naturally as employers, we are going to continue to follow our principles in future and not discuss any details of our employees’ contracts in public.”

It’s understandable that all this commotion is going on for Reus as he’s an elite player. The Dortmund native was rated the fourth best player in Europe last year by Bloomberg Sports. His versatility is important also as he can play anywhere in the attacking midfield, as a winger on either flank or as a second striker. The German international last season scored 16 goals in the Bundesliga while leading the league in assists with 13. He’s a rare player that can score as well as he can create for his teammates and he combines pace with an excellent technical ability.

Earlier in the summer, reports stated that Arsenal were about to sign Reus this transfer window but after his injury occured, the Gunners opted for Alexis Sanchez instead. Many may ask why Reus would opt for Arsenal but he was a former supporter of the club.

“I think everyone has their favorite club from youth and I was always a fan of Arsenal, because I appreciate the culture of their game,” said Reus to German newspaper Der Westen.

Other clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United are long admirers of two-time DFL-Supercup winner but it seems that he’ll stay put in his hometown for at least one more season.

Reus came up in Borussia Dortmund’s academy before going to Rot Weiss Ahlen and now he’s been a focal point during their recent success. If he wants more money and to win trophies like the Champions League then’ll he’ll have to depart Die Schwarzgelben but if he wants to be an icon in his hometown and club like how Francesco Totti is for Roma then he’ll stay put and grind it out. At least he has a year to decide unless a team decides to catch Dortmund off guard trigger the release clause now.