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Bayern shun Hleb transfer rumours

Friday 13 March 2009 12:17 GMT
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(GETTY IMAGES)

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out the possibility of his side making a summer move for Barcelona midfielder Alex Hleb.

The Belarus international has made only nine starts for Barca following last year's switch from Arsenal and is believed to be surplus to requirements to the Camp Nou.

However, the 27-year-old will not be heading to Bayern, with Rummenigge insisting: "We do not have the slightest intention of making a move for him."

Meanwhile, the Bayern chairman has reiterated his desire to keep France international Franck Ribery at the Allianz Arena, adding: "We are not going to let a player like Ribery go, especially as he has a contract with two-and-a-half years left on it.

"When you have a player like this at your club you do not want to see him leave.

"He is a fans' favourite because of his spectacular displays, his ability and the success that he looks capable of bringing to the team.

"You do not sell players like that, you guard them very closely."

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are unwilling to match Tottenham's asking price for Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Boateng joined Spurs from Hertha Berlin in a £5.5m deal in the summer of 2007, but failed to impress at White Hart Lane and is currently on a six-month loan spell with Borussia.

The Bundesliga side had intimated that they were keen to make the arrangement permanent, but have baulked at the amount Spurs are demanding for the midfielder.

"It is sad this has happened now but we had already intended to discuss Kevin's future at our club at the end of the campaign," Dortmund's general manager Michael Zorc told Bild.

"However, Tottenham's valuation of the player is unrealistic."

Meanwhile, Boateng fears that his current injury problems could scupper any deal, saying: "This is a real blow. I am out for a very long time and cannot shine for a while.

"My goal is to remain a Dortmund player beyond the end of the season. This is my biggest dream, but now I am unable to impress the manager."

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