Klopp: I am not afraid to lose Lewandowski to Manchester United

Dec 3, 2012 8:30:00 PM

Ahead of the clash with Manchester City in Group D, the German coach has fired a warning to potential suitors from England, saying he is unfazed by interest shown in his forward

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp believes that highly sought-after striker Robert Lewandowski will remain at the club for the foreseeable future.

The top teams in the Premier League have been linked with the player, who's contract runs out in the summer of 2014, but the trainer insists they have nothing to fear if bids do come in for their star man.

"I am not afraid to lose him," he told reporters.

"Manchester United is one of many clubs that are going to be showing an interest in him. But the fact remains the contract is with us.

"The time when there were big, rich English clubs coming to lure German players away - thank God those times are over.

"No, I'm not afraid I'll be losing him and in the second half of the season he'll be with us."

BVB face Manchester City on Tuesday and Klopp hailed the performance of his team the last time the two sides met back in October saying that it was, "one of the best games ever played by any BVB team."

Although Dortmund will have to do without the services of Sven Bender and Sebastian Kehl, and are already guaranteed a place in the last 16, the German coach did not share any exact plans regarding the line-up for the encounter.

He added: "The Champions League is still a very appealing competition. We want to live up to that despite the personnel issues [we have].

"At the moment, I cannot give any details on how we will appear tomorrow. We will tinker [with the] team and then get started. We want to present a starting XI that is as fresh as possible."