Beckenbauer expects Klose to join Bayern Munich for new season

Jun 18, 2007, 12:50 GMT

Munich - Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer expects Germany striker Miroslav Klose to join the club at the start of the season, he told a German newspaper on Monday.

Beckenbauer is quoted in the Passauer Neue Presse as having said that he could not believe Klose would stay with Werder Bremen. 'I can't imagine that Bremen would want to keep a player like Klose if they know that he will leave the team at the end of the season. How can they do that?'

He added that he hoped Klose would join Bayern Munich for the start of the season.

Bremen had said last week that the negotiations with Bayern Munich were closed as Bayern did not up their offer for two and a half weeks. They consider the 10 million euros Bayern are said to be offering for Klose as too little.

Bremen said they would only reopen negotiations if they increase their offer and offer German international Lukas Podolski in exchange.

Beckenbauer, however, expects the transfer to be finalised soon as Bremen can't afford to keep Klose as the fans and members will turn against him.

'I expect us to come to an agreement,' he said. He could not rule out that Dutch international Roy Makaay would leave the club as they had so many strikers, 'but the main thing is that we get Klose.'

Beckenbauer said he was very happy with Bayern's signings for the new season - amongst them Italian world champion Luca Toni, who joined for 11 million euros and French international Franck Ribery, for whom Bayern paid 25 million euros.

'You can only congratulate our executive for getting all the players they wanted,' he said, but added that the new team, on which Bayern spent 53 million euros would not be a guarantee for success.

'The players we have bought have made us internationally stronger, but that is no guarantee that you will become league champion with a huge pont advantage.'

Beckenbauer expects the team to improve their tactical game plan and to strengthen their defensive play in the new season. 'In the past season we just gave away too many presents. In every game there were instances, where we just refused to go into one-on-one situations. We need to learn the basics again.'

He said that even though the club had so many stars in the team, there would be no problems. 'I am sure there will be a fight for places in the team, but that is in the interest of everyone.'