Reus close to Dortmund deal

Dortmund - Marco Reus appears closer to renewing his contract at Borussia Dortmund beyond 2017 which would also put an end to a possible summer buyout for €30 million.

The local Ruhr Nachrichten paper said that it and a radio station have learnt that Reus' management and Dortmund are closing in on an agreement which could be officially announced before the end of the month.

Under the current contract Reus can make use of the buyout clause until the end of April. European champions Real Madrid are said to be interested and ready to double Dortmund's salary offer.

However, Dortmund-born Reus is considered worth far more than the 30 million euros, and Dortmund want to build a new team around the 25-year-old attacking Germany midfielder.

Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke did not want to comment on the talks' progress but told Ruhr Nachrichten "we have put all our cards on the table and the ball is now with Marco."

Dortmund won the Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012 and were runners-up the past two seasons but are struggling badly this time around in 16th place.