Ballack staying put until the summer
Wednesday, 9 November 2005 16:45Michael Ballack will remain at Bayern Munich until the end of the season at least, after the midfielder's agent ruled out a January transfer window move.
The Germany captain's contract expires in the summer and he is due to let the Bundesliga giants know at the end of this month whether he is prepared to sign a new, lucrative four-year deal.
Manchester United head the chase for the sought-after midfielder, with Arsenal and Real Madrid also believed to be interested.
Although Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has not given up hope of persuading the 29-year-old to stay in Munich, the odds remain on Ballack leaving and general manager Uli Hoeness has already admitted he fears the worst.
There has been speculation if Ballack declares his intention to quit, Bayern may decide to sell during the January transfer window.
However, the player's agent Michael Becker claimed Ballack had not yet decided where his long-term future lies and insisted he would be going nowhere until after this summer's World Cup.
"There is absolutely no chance of Michael leaving in January," said Becker. "It just would not make sense.
"First, it would cost him any chance of winning the Champions League this season, which is the prime motivation for the remainder of his career.
"Secondly, what would be the point of Bayern selling him because they could make more in Champions League prize money with him in the team than they would in a transfer fee given he only has six months left on his contract.
"And thirdly, why would he want to leave Germany such a short time before he is due to captain them in the World Cup," Becker added.
