Bayern riles Schalke by praising Germany midfielder Goretzka

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany (AP) Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel has criticized league rival Bayern Munich for making public comments in praise of Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka.

Heidel is annoyed with Bayern counterpart Hasan Salihamidzic in particular for saying on Wednesday that ''it's clear that Leon Goretzka is a really good player. He is a Schalke player and of course we respect that. He is a German national team player, and we can also say that we are interested.''

Goretzka's contract at Schalke is up at the end of the season, when Bayern would be able to sign him without a transfer fee. He is reportedly yet to decide whether to stay or leave the club he joined in 2013 from Bochum.

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes had already praised the 22-year-old Goretzka in the previous days for his ''brilliant development.''

Heidel says Salihamidzic's comments were ''unnecessary'' and ''we don't need to hear every day from the Munich people how good our player is.''

Heidel says Goretzka should take his time in making a decision but ''the issue will need to be settled soon.''