BALLACK TO BRITAIN?

Last updated : 25 November 2005 By Editor
Franz Beckenbauer has said that the reasonable tax rates in Britain may well prove to be the deciding factor as to where Michael Ballack plays football next season.

“We have offered him a very good four-year contract.

“He is already the highest-paid player in Germany, but he won’t sign.

“We don’t have a Berlusconi or a Roman Abramovich at Bayern but we are a wealthy club. The problem in Germany is the tax rate.

“It is more than 50 per cent, while the tax rate in Britain is much lower.”

However the Mirror reports United won't be in for Ballack at all. An insider said:

"We are not going in for Ballack at all. He will not become a Manchester United player.

"Although he is a great player, the manager has decided he is not the kind of midfielder he wants.

"We are looking at other midfielders and we are confident we will be able to sign the targets we have identified."