Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs has denied press reports claiming striker Claudio Pizarro will leave the club at the end of the season.
Bundesliga club keen to tie striker to new deal
Werder Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs has denied press reports claiming striker Claudio Pizarro will leave the club at the end of the season.
The Peru forward is enjoying his second spell at the Bundesliga club after re-signing, initially on-loan, from Chelsea in 2008.
He has become a key figure for Die Werderaner over the past few seasons and has grabbed 16 goals in just 22 appearances this campaign.
The 33-year-old's contract expires in June 2013 but there is a clause allowing him to leave for free this summer, should he give notice to the club before the end of the month.
A report in German newspaper
BILD suggested the striker is ready to activate that clause and quit the Weserstadion in the summer.
New deal
However, Allofs has strenuously denied the report, insisting the club are ready to offer Pizarro a new contract.
"Sport-Bild seems to know more than we do," Allofs told
sportinformationsdienst. "This has not been the case and, honestly, I do not believe this news report.
"We have sent a clear signal to Claudio Pizarro what our plans are. We have offered him a good new deal".
When quizzed on his future Pizarro refused to be drawn on the speculation, adding: "I have not taken a decision, there is much left to do.
"We have plenty of talks left."
