Mario Gotze to discuss transfer with Bayern Munich due to diminished role

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer admits that discussions about the future of Mario Gotze are imminent, as the 23-year-old has grown frustrated at making just four league starts this season.

The World Cup winner has been linked with a move to Liverpool, where he would be reunited with his former Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp, and though Gotze dismissed these stories, he didn't rule out a move from the Allianz Arena as he seeks first-team football.

"I (previously) said it was madness when there were rumours about a transfer in January, whereas Mario was talking about the end of the season," Sammer told Sky Sports.

Gotze started 28 league games for Der FCB last season as the club stormed to the Bundesliga title. At his current rate, he will amass just eight starts, as the likes of Arturo Vidal and Douglas Costa are preferred in the starting lineup.

"Mario's comments were an indication that we will have to sit down at some point in the coming months and discuss his situation," Sammer said.

"That is only logical. I cannot see anything negative about what Mario said. He has put a few things up for discussion. We will clarify everything in the second half of the season. A lot of things will have been resolved by then."

One of the things resolved by the end of the season could be a German record fourth straight title, with Bayern Munich currently enjoying an eight-point cushion atop the league. The Bavarian outfit returns after the winter break with a trip to Hamburg on Jan. 22.