MUNICH — Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez is to stay at the club for the time being but officials at the Champions League winner hon Monday his future with them could be in doubt. Gomez, 27, a former Bundesliga top scorer, lost his starting spot to Mario Mandzukic last season as Bayern won the domestic league and cup double as well as the Champions League. “Yes, there have been rumors,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told reporters in reference to several Italian clubs' supposed interest in the Germany international. “He will be training with the team as normal from Wednesday onward (pre-season start), Rummenigge said, with new Bayern coach Pep Guardiola sitting next to him. “Until today there is no official enquiry so Mario Gomez will start training Wednesday and then we will see what happen,” said Rummenigge. Arshavin to seal Zenit return Former Russian captain Andrei Arshavin was expected Monday to seal his return to Zenit Saint Petersburg, the club that launched his career, after a fallow half decade at Arsenal. The Sport Express daily said that Arshavin's move back to Zenit could be announced later Monday after he won the backing of the club's owner, the gas giant Gazprom. “We have to remember that Arshavin is a product of Zenit. And I think it right that a product of Zenit finishes his career at his native club,” Gazprom chief executive Alexei Miller was quoted as saying. “Arshavin is a great Russian footballer and a great Petersburg sportsman.” Blanc close to deal Former France coach Laurent Blanc said Sunday he was very close to being named the new boss of French champion Paris St Germain. Media had reported that the 47-year-old Blanc, who won the French title with Girondins Bordeaux in 2009, had already struck a deal with the Ligue 1 club. PSG has been looking for a new coach since Carlo Ancelotti said he wanted to leave after leading it to its first domestic crown since 1994 in May. The Italian has been linked in the media with Real Madrid, where the manager's position is vacant following Jose Mourinho's return to English side Chelsea. — Agencies
