Bayern May Sell Owen

Looks like the Owen Hargreaves-story is close to the end: Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer admitted they could sell the player if the £17m price rumoured in the press is true.

'It's perfectly justified to deny a transfer to a player who has just extended his contract, just because another club wants to pay him more,' Beckenbauer told Bild.

'But should this alleged 30 million euro offer actually be tabled, then we would have to think about it. With this sum of money, we could certainly do one or two things in the transfer market.'

But of course we won't get Hargreaves the easy way as outspoken Uli Hoeness, Bayern's chief executive insists they would not sell the player.

'We have made our position quite clear: Owen is not for sale at the moment,' he said. 'That's why there are no discussions ongoing.

'I understand Alex, because I know him well and admire him. But in such important matters it won't do any good to put pressure on us via the media. Only personal discussions will help, but they have been put on ice for the moment,' he added.

Now I think they would be stupid to reject an offer of £17m as they could buy some players for that sum who are clearly good enough for winning the German league and are eager to play for Bayern, unlike Hargreaves, who wants to get away as soon as possible. It would be in all parties interest to have this case closed as soon as possible. We could give him more time to settle, Bayern could do their shopping.

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