Favre says Reus too young for Bayern or Arsenal

Posted Thursday, November 10, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Borussia Monchengladbach coach Lucien Favre insisted Wednesday rising star midfielder Marco Reus is too young to consider a switch to European giants Bayern Munich or Arsenal next season.

The 22-year-old has been ruled out of Germany's friendly against the Ukraine in Kiev on Friday with a stomach bug, but has been strongly linked to both clubs with Bayern making no secret of their wish to sign him.

Reus has scored seven goals in 12 league appearances this season for 'Gladbach, but Favre says the rising star needs more time to polish his game and is not yet the finished article.

"He needs a basis to perfect his game," Favre told German daily Bild.

"He has that here with Borussia and Marco can become more complete here.

"He knows that and that is also what he wants."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has contacted Favre about Reus after a tip off from the Gunners' former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, but the Swiss says he wants to keep Reus as long as possible.

"Jens Lehmann gave him (Wenger) a tip to watch out for Marco and Arsene then called me," said Favre.

"I know Arsene very well and I just told him the truth: that Marco is a very, very interesting player.

"But I am coach of Monchengladbach and I would like to keep hold of him."

Reus is under contract at 'Gladbach until June 2015 and Favre, who has steered his team to fourth in the Bundesliga, says 'Gladbach do not have to sell Reus.

"I think that a transfer now would be too soon for him," said the Swiss.

"It would be good for Marco to stay one or two years here and, who knows?

"Maybe we will be up at the top by then."

Germany play Holland in a friendly in Hamburg on Tuesday and Reus could link up with the national team this weekend after he recovers from illness.