James Rodriguez’s father Wilson has indicated that his son should take up the option of heading to the Serie A at the end of the season. The Colombia international joined Bayern Munich on a two-year loan from Real Madrid in the summer of 2017 but the move has been far from fruitful leading to the point that the German champions have declined to take up option to buy him.

As such, he is widely expected to return to parent club Los Blancos in the summer, though his stay could be short-lived with the Capital outfit prepared to sanction his sale elsewhere. Amidst this, Rodriguez’s father has highlighted that a summer move to the Serie A could be on the cards with reporting emerging that he could be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.

Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has confirmed that Manuel Neuer won’t start in the DFB-Pokal final against Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend. The Germany international has been on the sidelines with a foot injury since September and it appears that he won’t play any part in the club’s final game of the campaign.

Speaking to reporters, Heynckes confirmed Neuer’s availability for the Cup final, but he is not expected to risk the leading shot-stopper with the World Cup on the horizon, he said: “Manu has no complaints at all - he has taken part in a full training session and I am very pleased with how he is. He is in fantastic physical shape and he is in the squad, an option, but he will not play from the start. Manu has a presence, an authority in goal, he cannot be compared to anyone. The nation can be reassured, he will be a great option at the World Cup.”

Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has dismissed the possibility of Real Madrid pursuing the signature of Robert Lewandowski at the end of the season. The Poland international has been heavily linked with a move to the European champions, but Heynckes has stressed that the club have no interest in sanctioning the striker’s sale. Speaking after the Borussia Dortmund game, he said: “Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has already made this perfectly clear: Real Madrid has absolutely no chance of acquiring Robert Lewandowski.”

Meanwhile, the veteran head coach was coy on the futures of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben despite their existing deals due to expire at the end of the season, he added:"I have my opinion on Ribery and Robben, but I will hold back here with my recommendations. The club will know what they are and will decide in due course."