Hargreaves to leave Bayern

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has told German television programme DFS Doppelpass that England midfielder Owen Hargreaves is leaving the club.

Beckenbauer, speaking on the DFB-Doppelpass programme, confirmed Hargreaves was quitting the club following media reports that the 26-year-old would depart for €25m (£17m) and sign a four-year contract with Manchester United.

"Owen Hargreaves will go," Beckenbauer told the programme. "It's also the wish of the player."

Beckenbauer told the programme that the deal was a good financial one for Bayern.

"Everything is right and it is also financially right,'' continued Beckenbauer.

Asked if reports about the fee were true, he said: "It will be around that size."

Hargreaves, who was born in Calgary, Canada, was a member of the Bayern team that won the 2001 Champions League.

He was also one of few England players to emerge with distinction from last year’s World Cup campaign.