BERLIN (AFP) - Dutch international midfielder Mark van Bommel is the number
one target to replace want-away Michael Ballack at Bayern Munich, according to
the German club.
With the German midfielder looking certain to move away from Bavaria for a
likely transfer to the English Premiership and champions Chelsea, Bayern have
revealed their interest in signing out-of-favour Barcelona player van Bommel -
but only if the price is right.
"If Barcelona say to us we will sell for two or three million euros, then we
will begin discussions. Van Bommel is too old for us to play games," claimed
Bayern sporting director Uli Hoeness in Munich daily newspaper TZ.
The 28-year-old former PSV Eindhoven talisman only moved to Catalunya in the
last close season and has a contract with Barcelona until 2008 but he has been
unable to force his way into coach Frank Rijkaard's starting line-up.
Barcelona are believed to value the player at around 12 million euros but
Bayern are unwilling to pay that kind of money for a player approaching 30.
"We are ready to spend a lot of money on a player of 24 or 25 years. If we
are going to invest 20 to 30 million euros in a player, he has to have
prospects," added Hoeness.
The last time Bayern splashed the cash for a player it was another Dutch
arrival from Spain. The German giants paid 18.75 million euros to Deportivo La
Coruna for Roy Makaay but have been rewarded with a return of 56 goals from the
Dutch international in just over two-and-a-half seasons.