Hargreaves welcomes $39m Utd bid

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MUNICH, Germany -- England international Owen Hargreaves claimed Friday that Manchester United have launched an official transfer window bid to sign him from Bayern Munich.

Hargreaves comments came after Bayern general manager Karl-Heinze Rummenigge admitted in German newspaper Bild that United had tabled a bid of 30 million euros ($38.8m) for the midfielder.

However, Rummenigge also claimed that any transfer during the January window was "out of the question" for a player who is contracted until 2010.

"We will see this summer how things work out," Rummenigge added.

Hargreaves, though, seemed more optimistic he would finally agree a dream move to United.

"It's been official today that Manchester United have made an offer for me," he told BBC Sport, for whom he is a columnist,

"For a club like Man Utd to make an offer is something I appreciate."

Hargreaves has been out of action since September and is determined to make a comeback to first team action as soon as possible, whoever it is with, although there is no doubt about his preference.

"Manchester United have developed into such a talented team," he said.

"They have got such a great nucleus when you look at Rio (Ferdinand) and 'Wazza' (Wayne Rooney), and Cristiano Ronaldo is probably one of the best players in Europe at the moment."

Admiration

He did not stop at praising United's squad but also expressed his admiration for the boss, Sir Alex Ferguson.

"When you look at the success and the amount of titles he's won, he's been very successful.

"I think any player would love to have the opportunity to play for a manager like that and all the players speak in the highest tones for him."

But Hargreaves admitted the decision rests with Bayern.

"I can't really do much, it's not on my side," he said. "That's down to the club really for those things to be decided.

"I've got a contract and I'm focused on my half, which is football and playing well. We'll see what happens in the coming weeks and possibly months."

"The most important thing for me now is to come back healthy and playing strong.

"I've been out for a few months and am looking forward to getting back into the rhythm of playing again and representing England."

The 25-year-old has just resumed full training after and has set his sights on a return to action shortly after the Bundesliga restarts next week following its winter break.

Hargreaves, one of England's few successes at the World Cup in Germany last summer, is unlikely to be fit for the friendly against Spain at Old Trafford on February 7.

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