Mario Götze targets a February return, linked with Liverpool transfer

With Bayern Munich down in Doha, Qatar for their winter training camp, one player is with the team training by his lonesome. Mario Götze has been out of action over the last few months thanks to an injury. However, he's targeting a return soon.

"It's going well. Hopefully I'll be able to start training with the ball next week, but then it'll still be two or three weeks before I can take part in team training," Götze told Kicker. "I'd like to think it'll be the beginning of February, but it's hard to predict. I'm taking it day-by-day. The important thing is that there are no setbacks."

His last appearance for FC Bayern came during the 5-1 destruction of Borussia Dortmund. Götze had a goal and an assist in the big win against his former club.

Götze tore his left adductor muscle during a Euro 2016 Qualifier for Germany. The injury occurred during their match against the Republic of Ireland on October 8.

The attacker has also been linked with a transfer to Liverpool where he could link up with his old BVB manager Jürgen Klopp.

"It's all open, how to proceed after the season," Götze said in an interview with Bild. "I have a contract until 2017, but of course, it is important how the new coach feels about me."

With Bayern having appointed Carlo Ancelotti as the new coach beginning this summer, it makes all of the sense in the world that Götze would want to speak with him regarding his future before deciding what to do. With his contract expiring in 18 months, a decision will be made this summer.

Sporting Director Matthias Sammer has, once again, denied a report of Götze leaving FCB. This time, he called the rumors "idiocy".

Don't expect Bayern to let Götze walk without a fight.