"Schick will not be sold this summer"

Bayer Leverkusen have no intention of selling Patrik Shick this summer. He is on the agenda of Newcastle and Barcelona, two clubs that could launch offers when the transfer market opens, but have been warned by statements made by Simon Rolfe, Bayer's sporting director, in 'Bild': they will not accept his proposals.

"He will not be sold this summer. Nobody needs to contact us about Patrik, as he will be playing for us next season, that's very clear. There is interest, but he is a key player in our plans," said the manager to the aforementioned newspaper, which shows that, at an institutional level, the club has no problem in showing its position.

What Rolfe says about Schick's future is important because the player has a contract until 2025, which means he is more than assured by his owners. It would have to be a very different situation for the bosses to look favourably on his departure. And that could involve him asking for a transfer.

In his last two games, he has been in fine form. He scored a goal against Eintracht Frankfurt and another against Greuther Fürth in the Bundesliga.