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The Piłka Nozna report may have reverberated through the footballing world, but in the tight, well-run locker room at Borussia Dortmund provides a nice sanctuary for news.
The morning news that Robert Lewandowski will sign a contract in January with Bayern Munich did not phase Dortmund, as the Schwarzgelben scored two goals in extra time to beat TSV 1860 München.
Lewandowski threaded the through ball to Marco Reus in the 104th minute of extra time that allowed Reus to draw a penalty kick. He later came out right before the end of the first half of extra time.
That was not the topic of discussion after the game. Lewandowski addressed the rumors as they begin to swarm like bees around his head once again.
"I can't speak about that at this moment. I can talk about it first in January. Right now it is too soon," he said after the match, according to Revier Sport.
Before he ran away from the media, a reporter snuck in one last question: "In January, can you say, that you're going to Bayern Munich"
"Yes, because I can officially sign in January," said Lewandowski before scampering away.
[see the full interview in German]
Ironic, how this transfer teaser breaks when the Polish striker was in Munich. Maybe too ironic.
Lewandowski got a €4.5 million pay raise from Dortmund coming into the season, maybe as a way to mend fences for not letting the 24-year-old leave in the summer.
Now, Dortmund general manager Michael Zorc knows that the situation is out of his control.
"Everything has already been said on this topic," said Zorc post-game, according to Revier Sport. "He is free on June 30th. I can't say more about that.
"He is free and can do what he wants. We want a sensible year at Borussia Dortmund with him. There we are on a good path."
Mario Mandžukić seems confident in his place on the team despite the revving up of the transfer machine. Not only does he appear unphased, but Mandžukić took it a step further.
"If it were up to me, I would end my career here," said Mandžukić to Sport Bild.
Just when the Pandora's box of Lewandowski to Bayern transfer rumors seemed shut, a little rumor flutters out before the box closes. Now January can't come soon enough.