Kluivert awaits Premiership offer

Patrick Kluivert today revealed he is waiting for offers from the Premiership after expressing his disappointment at being released by Barcelona.

Kluivert is one of four Dutch stars – along with Phillip Cocu, Marc Overmars and Michael Reiziger – who have been told they are surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp

No decision will be taken on his future until after Euro 2004, but Kluivert said: “To go and play in England is certainly an option for me, but the options only exist when the offers are on the table.

“Neither me or my agent have had any contact with an English club or any other for that matter. We will consider the offers when they arrive.

“After six years Barca and I will go different ways and I think that it is a good time to look for another club.

“I have always said that England is one of my preferred countries and that I want to play there. There are enough clubs but nothing concrete.”

Meanwhile Michael Becker, the agent of Bayern Munich’s Michael Ballack, has confirmed that Barca have made approaches for his client but that a deal needs to be struck with the German club as the midfielder has a contract for two more years.

Bayern president Karl Heinz Rummenigge said if Ballack, who has failed to hit form this season, is unhappy then they would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave.

“If an offer is made for him then we will study it, but for that to happen it has to be serious and adequate, that is to say it has to have a certain level,” he said.

Rummenigge admitted that Bayern are interested Porto midfielder Deco – who scored in his club’s Champions League final victory on Wednesday – but do not want to pay more than £6.7m (€10m) for him.