Munich withdraw 30 million euros offer for Ballack

Nov 15, 2005, 9:20 GMT

German soccer player Michael Ballack is pictured in Munich, Germany, 19 March 2005. EPA/ROLF VENNENBERND

Munich, Germany - Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Monday night raised the pressure on their playmaker Michael Ballack to finally decide on his future when they withdrew a lucrative contract extension offer until 2010.

Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the annual club members meeting that Ballack was still undecided and that the club had therefore withdrawn the offer allegedly worth more than 30 million euros (35 million dollars).

But Rummenigge also said the move did not mean that Ballack will leave Munich when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

'Michael had to explain himself by today or we would withdraw a very good offer. That's what happened,' Rummenigge said.

'It doesn't necessarily mean that Ballack will leave Munich. But we will from now on take a close look at the market to come up with alternatives,' he said.

Ballack, 29, is Germany's best footballer and national team captain. He came to the Bundesliga champions in 2002 from Bayer Leverkusen.

Ballack has been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid, but by international football laws they can't start talks with Ballack until January 1, 2006.

Munich gave Ballack the November 14 (Monday) deadline to explain himself four weeks ago.

According to Tuesday's edition of the Bild daily he told Rummenigge and general manager Uli Hoeness that 'I haven't made a decision yet'.

Rummenigge also told the club members Monday that Munich have renewed the contract of currently injured Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz until 2099 and that Germany midfielder Sebastian Deisler will also likely stay beyond 2006.

Munich are Germany's wealthiest football club, with Rummenigge reporting a profit of 6.6 million euros after tax for the past season, a big turnaround from a 3.4-million euros deficit in the 2003/2004 season.

Munich raised their turnover by 23.2 million euros to a Bundesliga record 189 euros.