Manchester City-linked midfielder Rocco Reitz has delivered a fresh update on his future at Borussia Monchengladbach ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old, who has previously been likened to Germain icon Michael Ballack, came through Monchengladbach's academy and made his professional debut for the club in October 2020 at the age of 18.
Reitz experienced two loan spells in Belgium with Sint-Truiden before being reintegrated into Monchengladbach's first team last season, contributing with six goals and three assists in 34 Bundesliga matches to help the club avoid relegation and finish 14th in the table.
This term, Reitz has primarily operated in a deeper midfield role, chipping in with two goals and one assist in 27 German top-flight appearances for a Monchengladbach side who have secured a 10th-placed finish.
The 12-cap Germany Under-21 international still has over three years remaining on his contract at Borussia-Park, but there has been speculation over a possible exit in the near future.
© Imago
Man City-linked Reitz responds to transfer speculation
Indeed, it was reported towards the end of last year that Man City were among a number of Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Reitz, but Monchengladbach were unwilling to part ways with the midfielder midway through the season.
Reitz has since confirmed that he will remain at Monchengladbach next season, but a future move to a "really big" club has not been ruled out.
Asked during an interview with Bild what would have to happen to leave his boyhood club, Reitz said: "A lot has to happen for that to happen. I'm happy here and will definitely play for Gladbach next season. There's no reason to move now.
"But I do have my dreams and the goal of continuing to develop. You don't play football that long, after all. So you never know where the path might lead you."
He added: "If one day one gets the opportunity to go to one of the really big clubs, then I wouldn't blame anyone - every professional wants to experience that."
© Imago
Reitz could be tempted by Guardiola to join Man City
Amidst speculation over a move to Man City, Reitz was asked if he could be 'hooked' by the opportunity to work under Pep Guardiola, and he replied: "When Pep calls, you probably can't say no. But for something like that to happen, I have to play a little better first."
Man City are prioritising the addition of at least four new players this summer as part of a squad rebuild under new sporting director Hugo Viana, who is targeting two new midfielders.
Another Bundesliga star in the form of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz has been heavily linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium, with Kevin De Bruyne leaving at the end of the season, but recent reports have claimed that Man City have now cooled their interest.
Barcelona's Dani Olmo has been identified as a 'plan B' by the Citizens, who have also stepped up their pursuit of AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders and remain interested in Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White.
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Oliver Thomas
