Leverkusen chief Rudi Völler rules out January move for Aleksandar Dragovic
Rudi Völler insists Bayer Leverkusen will not sell Aleksandar Dragovic in January.
Aleksandar Dragovic has been linked with a move away from Bayer Leverkusen in January, but will not be allowed to depart BayArena after playing a key role during the fall, insists club boss Rudi Völler.
"That is no longer an issue at all, and he knows that. Especially from February or March on, we need all our players," Völler told Kicker and added:
"He has done a great job in almost every game, regardless of whether he has been playing as a centre-back or full-back. When you need him, he's there. He has been one of the keys to our success."
Although Dragovic's time at Leverkusen hasn't gone according to plan following his move from Dynamo Kyiv in 2016, Leverkusen don't want to rule out extending the 29-year-old's contract, which expires in the summer.
"We will see what the situation looks like in the spring," says sporting director Simon Rolfes.
Dragovic himself, however, is aware that his situation could quickly change again.
"I don't want to overestimate it, but I definitely see such statements as motivation. Everything goes easier when you feel valued. I'm enjoying the moment, especially since things can go very quickly in both directions in football," said the defender.