However, in what appears on face value to be a significant U-turn, Gotze now says he intends to be at The Allianz Arena when Ancelotti takes charge in pre-season.
Speaking to Bild, Gotze said: “I look forward to the new season in Munich and will do everything possible to compete in top shape during my first training under Carlo Ancelotti.”
It remains to be seen in what context those comments were made and whether the 23-year-old has been given assurances his career will be revived under Ancelotti.
He has only one year left of his current contract at Munich, which is why he was available for £20 million this summer.
However, the comments come amid confirmation Gotze has decided to split from the SportsTotal agency who were in the process of negotiating a possible transfer from Munich.
Liverpool are obviously monitoring the developments and it would represent a setback to manager Jurgen Klopp should Gotze spurn Anfield advances. He wants Gotze to be Liverpool’s star summer capture.
Klopp has alternative targets although he has been prepared to wait for the midfielder to decide his future before giving up on the chase.
The Liverpool manager made it clear earlier in the season he was not interested in players who saw Champions League qualification as a pre-requisite to a transfer.
He hoped that would not be a factor in Gotze’s case, but Liverpool realise their defeat to Sevilla in last week’s Europa League Final – ending their pursuit of Champions League football – could work against them with the German having multiple offers to consider.