体坛英语新闻：Neuer's pre-season attack a warning shot for Bayern

BERLIN, July 6 (Xinhua) -- 2019 German Champions Bayern Munich remain in a state of unrest, and its leaders have kept under steady fire due to their reluctant transfer policy.

After former French international Franck Ribery and German international Joshua Kimmich demanded a greater effort to increase the squad's quality, now Manuel Neuer launched an attack ahead of the 2019/2020 Bundesliga campaign.

The 2014 World Champion indicated he could leave the 2013 treble winners if the Bavarian's squad isn't strong enough to achieve his personal goals.

The statements of his agent Thomas Kroth in a recent interview can be seen as a warning shot for Bayern's board including Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, President Uli Hoeness, and Sports Director Hasan Salihamidzic.

The 59-year-old former professional said the German national keeper still is highly ambitious despite his 33 years of age and wants to win the 2020 European Championships and again the Champions League.

Kroth underlined that Neuer doesn't intend to end his career in 2021 when his current contract expires.

To extend his contract in Munich is one option, "but not the only one."

"Manuel is success orientated," Kroth stressed while talking about a significant quality gap between Bayern and leading top international outfits.

"The impression is that the gap to the four leading English clubs is already significant and Bayern's current squad isn't competitive enough to achieve Manuel's goals."

Neuer, Kroth commented, has entered a phase of orientation "as he has to decide how things go on for him." Bayern considering stronger investments would cause a motivation boost for Neuer as "Manuel needs goals."

Meanwhile, Bayern's increasing difficulties in attracting football's super or top stars are apparent.

Rummenigge and Hoeness announced they are not willing to join the race on international markets producing "crazy sums." On top, the club can't count on the support of foreign investors willing to invest up to 200 million euros for a top-star.

The Bavarians claim to stick to their "healthy economic" approach.

As well as the Bavarian's reluctance to spend the huge sums spent by smaller, yet wealthier clubs such as Manchester City and PSG, the German Bundesliga has also become a less attractive prospect for top level stars, with England and Spain being prefered to Germany.

After several attempts failed to sign some of footballs big names such as Leroy Sane (Manchester City), Ousmane Dembele (FC Barcelona) and Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) only Lucas Hernandez (Atletico/80 million euro), Benjamin Pavard (VfB Stuttgart/35) and youngster Jann-Fiete Arp (Hamburger SV/3) stand for Bayern's new faces.