Tough-talking Bayern rule out Hargreaves deal

BAYERN MUNICH have hit out at Manchester United and warned the Old Trafford outfit not even €50m would tempt them to sell Owen Hargreaves.

Alex Ferguson has revealed a major interest in the England international, although the United boss has also admitted his efforts to sign Hargreaves are currently “deadlocked”.

Hargreaves spent the days before and after his man-of-the-match performance in the midweek win over Greece pointedly refusing to commit his future to Bayern, even though he only recently signed a contract which should keep him with the Bundesliga champions until 2010.

The 25-year-old’s agent Roman Grill has called for talks on Hargreaves’ future, fuelling Ferguson’s belief he could land the midfielder before the August 31 transfer deadline. However, given the forceful nature of general manager Uli Hoeness’ response to the early inquiry of United chief executive David Gill, it is difficult to see much scope for negotiation.

Hoeness’ comments have been backed up by an equally blunt statement on Bayern’s official website which reveals Hargreaves has been told ‘in no uncertain terms’ he will remain in Germany until 2010.

Bayern’s defiant response hardly backs up Ferguson’s belief that a cordial relationship exists between United and the club they so famously defeated in the 1999 Champions League Final. Yet, with over a week remaining until the transfer window closes, there could be a few twists in the saga yet.

Hargreaves is due to play for his club against Bochum today, 24 hours before the Red Devils open their Premiership campaign against Fulham on the same Old Trafford pitch where Hargreaves turned in his man-of-the-match performance for England against Greece.

“What we saw on Wednesday was not a surprise to me,” said United boss Ferguson.

“We have known about Owen since we first came across him in Bayern’s centenary match when he was only 18 or 19. On that night, he played on the right wing. When he played against us again he was at right-back. Now he is in a settled position, which he enjoys. He has started to mature and his performances in the World Cup emphasised that.”

Having already seen one star midfielder depart this summer in Michael Ballack, it is understandable that Bayern are refusing to discuss the possibility of losing another.

Efforts to bring Villarreal’s Marcos Senna to Old Trafford remain on hold until United get a firm indication as to their chances of concluding the Hargreaves deal, while Ferguson acknowledges Ruud van Nistelrooy’s decision to join Real Madrid ahead of Bayern this summer is now working against them.

Ferguson’s financial flexibility is aided by his decision not to bring in a direct replacement for Van Nistelrooy. It was anticipated in many quarters United would look to seek extra cover up front following the loss of a player who averaged an incredible 30 goals per season in his five years at Old Trafford.

However, despite showing an interest in Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres among others, the Red Devils chief has opted to rely on Alan Smith, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Giuseppe Rossi.