Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt is unaware of Borussia Dortmund's interest in central defender Omer Toprak.
Toprak, 26, has been linked with a switch to Borussia Dortmund ever since the first rumours emerged that Mats Hummels could leave BVB for Bayern Munich.
The Turkey international is under contract at Bayer Leverkusen until 2018, but has a €12 million release clause for 2017 -- thus this summer represents the last chance for Leverkusen to negotiate a transfer fee.
But following the confirmation of the Hummels transfer to Bayern on Tuesday, Schmidt said that Toprak has so far not addressed the rumours internally.
"I only read about those rumours in the papers," the Leverkusen coach told kicker. "I have not heard anything from the player and the club has not heard from other clubs. It's normal that very good centre-backs of other clubs are drawn into the spotlight when Borussia Dortmund loses a very good centre-back."
Schmidt added that he "could not say" whether there is "a real interest" from Borussia Dortmund and explained that Toprak's contract situation is clear.
"By now, everyone knows about the existence of every clause. And then you also know that there is no clause this summer, for no single player of our club. It also means that the club will have the final word."
Although Schmidt highlighted that it will not be his decision, but rather one of the club's hierarchy, he hopes Toprak will stay.
"Like I've said: We've got great goals, and we need a good team to achieve them."
Following a crisis earlier this year, Leverkusen were able to turn their season around over the past two months with a run of seven consecutive wins. They will finish behind only Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga and are set for another year of Champions League football at the BayArena.
Speaking to sports weekly Sport Bild, Schmidt said that he hopes to narrow the gap to the two clubs ahead of Leverkusen next season.
"We have a good mentality in our team. This plays a crucial role. Every big team is coined by a strong mentality," he said. "This is the direction we want to take. If our young and strengthened squad stay together in large parts I am convinced that the best years are still to come."
Leverkusen will finish this term some 20 points behind Dortmund and a further eight behind champions Bayern Munich, but Schmidt believes things will change in the new season, and Bayer can catch up, at least a bit.
"This season was probably the peak, the biggest margin. It's not given that Dortmund and Bayern pick up as many points again. And should we continue to collect points like in the last weeks, it could work out."