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Heynckes eyes Champions League for Bayern

Thursday 30 April 2009 11:16 BST
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Interim coach Jupp Heynckes has admitted that Champions League qualification is the minimum requirement for Bayern Munich this season.

Heynckes replaced Jurgen Klinsmann in the hot-seat at the beginning of the week following his removal as coach.

But despite inheriting a side with genuine Bundesliga title ambitions, the veteran coach has set his sights a little lower.

"A club like Bayern have to play in the Champions League next season," said Heynckes.

"At the moment five teams can be champions. However, Wolfsburg have the best chance."

Werder Bremen’s director of sport Klaus Allofs has confirmed that Juventus have made an approach for Brazil international forward Diego.

The 24-year-old is a long-term target for Juve and has spoken several times of his wish to try his luck in Italy in the future.

However, Allofs insists that Bremen do not want to part with their star players just yet, telling Kreiszeitung Syke: “There have been some talks. When a club is interested it's normal for them to call you.

“However, a deal does not exist. Diego has a contract with us until 2011 and our desire is to keep him for even longer.”

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg striker Grafite is close to putting pen to paper on a new two-year contract.

The in-form Brazilian has scored 22 goals in the Bundesliga this season and is close to pledging his long-term future to the surprise league leaders.

The former Sao Paulo striker has been at the Volkswagen Arena since joining from Le Mans in 2007.

"We are in the middle of negotiations," revealed agent Roger Wittmann. "We are going to meet again in ten days time and we are going to see what will happen then."

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