Bayern Munich head coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied winger Douglas Costa is unhappy at the club and could force through a move away at the end of the season.
Costa, 26, has dropped down the pecking order at Bayern this season following Ancelotti’s arrival and the Brazil international revealed over the weekend he will address his future at the end of the campaign with a view to leaving the Bundesliga giants.
The 26-year-old only joined Bayern from Ukrainian side Shakhtar at the start of last season but has already talked up the possibility of moving to England, while Ancelotti has shifted the blame on to the player’s representatives.
“I didn’t read the interview, but I speak to him regularly, he is satisfied to be here,” The Daily Mail quote Ancelotti as saying. “When it comes to the happiness or the sadness of the player, there are agents who maybe want to put pressure on the club, who want to be more involved.
“I have a direct relationship with the player. He’s happy to stay here, he is involved and that counts for me. I think the interview came from the agent than from the player.”
Costa would not be short of suitors should he be available this summer but Bayern would understandably want to keep the Brazilian with both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery entering the twilight of their careers.
Since the start of last season Costa has completed more dribbles than any other player in the Bundesliga despite only starting eight league games under Ancelotti (126).
For more stats on Douglas Costa, click here to visit his WhoScored player page