Bayern Munich: Top Issues to Watch in This Week's News

The clock stands after Bayern Munich's weekend Bundesliga draw with Gladbach and shortly before their DFB-Pokal second-round tie with Hamburg, but news hasn't let up for the Bavarian giants.

As always, there are developing stories surrounding the Bayern camp, from transfers to injury updates to wars of words.

Click "Begin Slideshow" to see what the latest stories are and what headlines to look out for in Bayern news in the coming days.

The Marco Reus Transfer Narrative

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Marco Reus' name has repeatedly surfaced in Bayern-related news over the last few months. CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge not-so-slyly leaked in an interview with German tabloid Bild (h/t The Guardian) that the Borussia Dortmund winger had an exit clause of €25 million effective next summer.

This is less than the €35 million previously thought to be the fixed fee to release him from his current contract, per ESPN FC. His statements, which followed several other comments on the details of BVB players' contracts, prompted outcry from the Ruhr side in a public statement on their official website.

After a hiatus, the rumors linking Reus to Bayern have resurfaced and gathered some steam. Rummenigge recently told Sport1 (h/t Goal.com) that Bayern were "obliged" to consider trying to convince the player to move to the Allianz Arena. And on Wednesday, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told SportBild (in German) that talks with Reus had been put on ice.

Although it may be some time before any official statements are made, now that the Reus/Bayern narrative has begun to heat up once more, there may well be some leaks of discussions or proposed offers. Usually, there's no smoke without fire.

Mario Mandzukic

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Speaking recently to Sporske Novosti (h/t Goal.com), Mario Mandzukic had some rather candid words to say about Bayern coach Pep Guardiola.

The striker, who famously put Bayern against Dortmund in the 2013 Champions League final, claimed that the ex-Barcelona trainer was disrespectful towards him, that he tried to adapt to the new trainer's philosophy and gave his all but was treated as though his efforts were inevitably in vain. He also claimed the trainer didn't play him at the end of the season so that he would not be the Bundesliga's top scorer.

The Croatia international, who left Bayern in the summer, said that everything was better under previous coach Jupp Heynckes, and that he was not the only player with that opinion.

Whether from players, club executives, pundits or Guardiola himself, one can expect a reply to Mandzukic's statements. He isn't the first striker to claim sour grapes after falling out with the trainer; Samuel Eto'o and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are other examples. But more likely than not, a big voice from the Bayern camp will speak out in reply.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's Return

Hassan Ammar/Associated Press

Bastian Schweinsteiger is soon to return to full Bayern training, Pep Guardiola recently revealed in a press conference (h/t Goal.com). The 30-year-old hasn't appeared since the World Cup final due to a knee injury, but he is nearing fitness.

According to Bild (in German), the midfielder trained individually on Tuesday but was only able to complete 11 minutes before being forced off.

All will soon be clear as to whether Schweinsteiger's setback was only precautionary or something more serious. He's waited over three months to make his return and will surely be raring to resume his duties on the pitch.