Bayern Munich is now the first club to stir up the transfer season after Borussia Dortmund has confirmed that their star midfielder Mario Götze will be leaving the club on July 1st to join the Bavarians next season. Götze informed the club earlier this week of his plans to use his release clause and the deal is now official.
The German footballer’s release clause is set at €37 million, equivalent to $48.21 million, and Bayern Munich has agreed to match the amount to bring Götze to their club. The transfer news comes at the worst time for Dortmund fans as their club is set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
Götze will suit up for Dortmund in the semi-final and may have a chance to face his new club in the finals. Bayern will face FC Barcelona in the other semi-final match on Tuesday.
If both German clubs win, Götze will face his future teammates in a finals match that will surely be overshadowed by the transfer distraction. Borussia Dortmund released a statement early this morning asking fans to “unconditionally support Mario Götze in the last games of the season,” though many have already taken to his Facebook account and expressed their anger in his decision.
The 20-year-old’s €37 million release is the highest transfer ever for a German player and Bayern believes he is worth every bit of it. The up and coming midfielder joined Borussia Dortmund when he was eight-years-old and has since worked his way up the German rankings.
The move will give Bayern Munich more depth on the attacking side as Götze can also perform as a left or right winger. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, will now be forced to replace what was originally believed to be the future of the Black Yellows.
If Götze’s release request wasn’t enough, Bayern Munich has also won the Bundesliga title this year after Dortmund took home the cup each of the last two seasons.
The Bavarians are on their way up and have won 18 of their last 19 matches since the winter break as the season nears its end. Their dominance in the Bundesliga this year has only revamped their strong rivalry with Borussia Dortmund and Götze’s transfer will only create more tension as the season comes to a close.
[Image via Steindy ]
