Bayern withdraw Ballack offer

Germany captain Michael Ballack looks set to leave Bayern Munich after the club officially withdrew their contract offer.

Ballack has been stalling over signing a new deal at the Allianz Arena amid reported interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Bayern’s patience has now run out with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge telling the club’s annual general meeting on Monday: “We officially withdrew our offer today.”

Rummenigge’s decision came after he met with the player earlier in the day and was told the 29-year-old had still not decided what he wanted to do when his contract expires in June 2006.

“(That) does not necessarily mean that Michael will leave us but I say point blank that we will immediately sound out the market to look for a replacement,” Rummenigge added.

Bundesliga champions Bayern may now decide to offload the current German player of the year in January.