Soccer: Bayern Munich give pay rise to fend off interest in Bixente

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer plans to give French star Bixente Lizarazu a pay rise in a bid to fend off interest from Europe’s top clubs.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson recently made an attempt to take Lizarazu to Old Trafford, but was rebuffed by the Bayern board.

After Bayern’s Bundesliga and Champions League double, Beckenbauer is not surprised that some of the club’s top players are attracting attention.

‘‘One expects a little flirting (from other clubs) to see what the response might be,’’ Beckenbauer said.

But he believes that Bayern can count on the loyalty of both Lizarazu and his highly-rated countryman Willy Sagnol, who helped France to Confederations Cup success in Japan last Sunday.

‘‘We will raise their salaries,’’ said the former German World Cup winner.