Bayern Munich tempt Hargreaves to stay

Bayern Munich are set to offer England midfielder Owen Hargreaves an extension to his current contract in an attempt to quell interest from the Barclaycard Premiership.

The 21-year-old, who has grown in stature at Bayern in the past two seasons and also graduated to the full England squad, has reportedly been the target of several English sides, including last season’s double winners Arsenal.

But the player is keen to remain in Bavaria and is set to put pen to paper on a deal which will see him extend his current contract which is due to expire in 2004.

Bayern’s vice-president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Kicker magazine: “We know that he is an extraordinary player and we want him to stay longer at Bayern Munich.”

Hargreaves, who faces further competition at the Olympic Stadium following the summer additions of Michael Ballack and Ze Roberto, said: “I think my future is in Munich. Although I’m proud that there were some Premier League clubs interested.”