MANCHESTER UNITED took a step closer to landing Owen Hargreaves
after Bayern Munich finally cracked last night.
The Germans have consistently refused to open talks with United
manager Alex Ferguson. But general manager Uli Hoeness will now
listen to offers.
He said: If ever we thought we had found a replacement for Owen,
who cost less than wed get for him, we might be prepared to think
about it. Fergie will turn the screw with a £12million January bid
for midfielder Hargreaves, 26. But Bayern will try to hold on to
the England man until the summer.
Hoeness added: We face Real Madrid in the Champions League so
were not about to weaken our team. Were not a bank, were a
football club. Our top priority is to strengthen the team so what
use to me is another £30million in the bank? We want to do well in
Europe and the Bundesliga and we need Hargreaves for that.
Michael Carricks United place will be under threat should
Hargreaves join. But he insisted: We have played together before
for England Under-21s. Hes a top player but well have to see if
the move happens.
