~johncena~

Bayern defiant over Hargreaves transfer

MANCHESTER, England, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich have again closed the door on Manchester United's hopes of signing England midfielder Owen Hargreaves.


Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness told German SID sports news agency that he had spoken with United chief executive David Gill and had told him: 'You can offer me 50 million euros for Owen Hargreaves but we will not let him go.'


Coach Felix Magath, said it was high time 25-year-old Hargreaves showed he was committed to his contract, which runs through June 2010.

'He can climb to the top of Mount Everest and say whatever he wants but a contract with Bayern Munich is a contract. Basta! (enough).'

A statement from the Bavarian club declared: 'FC Bayern has informed the player and his agent in no uncertain terms that the contract with the club until June 30, 2010 is to be honoured.'

The statement was released after Ferguson confirmed United's interest in the England midfielder.

'To this day, we have not filter-004ed a transfer with Manchester United or any other club and there will be no future talks over a transfer of Hargreaves,' continued Bayern's statement.

'FC Bayern Munich have informed Manchester United on this day, Friday August 18 2006, that they must end their advances for Owen Hargreaves.''

While Hargreaves' agent Roman Grill on Thursday admitted his client was intent on a move to United and asked for the request to leave to be taken seriously by Bayern, the German champions told the midfielder his contract must be honoured.

'We are honest partners,' Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the Munchner Merkur newspaper. 'When a player signs a contract, he has rights and duties.

'Owen Hargreaves has the duty, among others, to play here until 2010, and that is the end of it.'

Rummenigge, who earlier this summer spoke of the special relationship between his club and United as he tried to convince the Premiership side to sell Ruud van Nistelrooy, sent a clear message to the Red Devils.

'Owen Hargreaves is an important player for FC Bayern Munich and we are planning with him and other young international players for our future,'' he added.

'That is why we will not even filter-004 a transfer of Owen Hargreaves with any club.'