It seems that Marco Reus' future could be decided sooner rather than later. German football magazine "kicker" reported this week that a decision over Reus' future could be announced as soon as March, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich the main clubs interested in securing his services.

The Dortmund star has been continuously linked with a move away from Germany, despite not playing a game for BVB since his most recent injury - a torn ankle ligament that he suffered back in November. Club chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke, speaking to reporters at the club's training camp in Spain, believes the club's star man will stay: "I can understand Marco. He first wants to play again and then he wants to see which direction to take," said Watzke before adding, "I have a legitimate hope that he will stay for the long term. If not it is something we will have to accept."

Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc also revealed how positive he was over keeping Reus to German newspaper "Ruhr Nachrichten."

"We're constantly in discussion with Marco. He's a good lad who has a strong association with BVB and someone who we want to continue working with. A decision over whether or not he stays won't wait until summer."

Forces against

Dortmund's catastrophic first half of the season hasn't helped the club's mission to keep Reus. Dortmund are in 17th in the Bundesliga, 12 points off the coveted Champions League places. While Reus' future remains cloudy, it seems captain Mats Hummels is set to stay. When questioned by German newspaper "Die Welt" this week, Hummels said "Fundamentally I don't need to play in the Champions League to be happy. I don't know whether others see that differently."

Watzke has had to answer countless questions over links with a move to Spain's capital for Reus after German newspaper "Bild" first reported back in December that the attacker had been taking Spanish lessons. At the time, Reus was linked with a move to Barcelona, but after their one-year transfer ban was enforced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Real Madrid look the likeliest to secure his signature.

However in the end, Dortmund's board have no legitimate say in whether Reus stays or goes. A release clause is a well documented aspect of any possible transfer, and with the 25-year-old's a reported 25 million euros, the German international can be poached for what many would consider a relative bargin.

apc/jh (Reuters, SID)