IT'S RUNS AND RUNS

Last updated : 24 January 2007 By Ed

Telegraph:

As the board of Bayern Munich attempted to conclude the long-running transfer saga of Owen Hargreaves, their manager said he believed the midfielder would remain in Germany.

"I am assuming we'll go in pursuit of our targets with the squad we have at the moment," Felix Magath said. "We cannot get by with any fewer midfielders and we don't need any more mishaps. The transfer market is hardly overflowing with classy alternatives."

Having already lost Michael Ballack and Sebastian Deisler from their championship-winning side, Bayern have loaned out another midfielder, Julio dos Santos, to Wolfsburg.

Manchester United have until next Wednesday to up their offer to the £25 million that would probably secure the 26-year-old's services. The board is split with Magath and general manager Uli Hoeness ranged against chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and president, Franz Beckenbauer.

While Hoeness has always set his face against a deal with United, especially in the January transfer window, Rummenigge, is more open to persuasion if they can improve on the £20 million United have bid. However, Magath pointed out that with the Bundesliga resuming after its winter break, Hargreaves, who has not played since breaking a leg in September, is still short of full fitness.

The Sun:

Manchester United will find out tomorrow if they have any chance of landing Owen Hargreaves. The Bayern Munich board met yesterday and could come to no firm decision over the England midfielder.

United, who have bid £20million for Hargreaves, are yet to have an official rejection. Bayern are looking at alternatives to replace Hargreaves, 26 last Saturday.

But they want to wait until managing director Uli Hoeness returns from a break tomorrow before deciding.

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