<SPAN id=intelliTXT><SPAN id=intelliTXT>Owen Hargreaves has been quoted in the German press as saying he has received a "fantastic" offer from Manchester United.</SPAN>
The 25-year-old England star - who is due to feature in central midfield in Wednesday's friendly with Greece at Old Trafford - claimed earlier this week he was as close to completing a move to the Premiership than he had ever been.
Hargreaves only recently signed a lucrative contract extension with Bayern Munich but has never made any secret of the fact he would like join an English club at some stage in his career.
Although he spoke in general terms on Monday about that desire, without revealing which, if any, clubs had expressed a firm interest.
However, it is now reported Sir Alex Ferguson has made a move for the Canadian-born midfielder, who has spent all his professional career with Bayern.
And, with just a fortnight to go before the transfer window closes, Germany's Sport Bild magazine claims Hargreaves is sorely tempted by the prospect of joining the Red Devils.
"The offer from Manchester United is fantastic," Hargreaves is quoted as saying.
"Particularly as an England international, it is of interest and you never know if such an opportunity will arise again.
"Now is the time to take the next step to develop even further."
Ferguson has already brought one new midfielder to Old Trafford this summer in £18.6million man Michael Carrick, who is currently injured.
But the Red Devils boss has stated on more than one occasion he is on the hunt for more reinforcements.
Villarreal's Marcos Senna has been heavily tipped to join United but, having insisted at the weekend his club would no longer be taken for mugs in the transfer market, Ferguson appears unwilling to meet the £8million asking price.
Bayern are unlikely to be taken for a ride either when it comes to putting a valuation on Hargreaves.
Having lost Michael Ballack, the German giants need to hang onto their best midfielders and would be unwilling to lose Hargreaves unless United stump up a fee of around £15million.</SPAN>
The 25-year-old England star - who is due to feature in central midfield in Wednesday's friendly with Greece at Old Trafford - claimed earlier this week he was as close to completing a move to the Premiership than he had ever been.
Hargreaves only recently signed a lucrative contract extension with Bayern Munich but has never made any secret of the fact he would like join an English club at some stage in his career.
Although he spoke in general terms on Monday about that desire, without revealing which, if any, clubs had expressed a firm interest.
However, it is now reported Sir Alex Ferguson has made a move for the Canadian-born midfielder, who has spent all his professional career with Bayern.
And, with just a fortnight to go before the transfer window closes, Germany's Sport Bild magazine claims Hargreaves is sorely tempted by the prospect of joining the Red Devils.
"The offer from Manchester United is fantastic," Hargreaves is quoted as saying.
"Particularly as an England international, it is of interest and you never know if such an opportunity will arise again.
"Now is the time to take the next step to develop even further."
Ferguson has already brought one new midfielder to Old Trafford this summer in £18.6million man Michael Carrick, who is currently injured.
But the Red Devils boss has stated on more than one occasion he is on the hunt for more reinforcements.
Villarreal's Marcos Senna has been heavily tipped to join United but, having insisted at the weekend his club would no longer be taken for mugs in the transfer market, Ferguson appears unwilling to meet the £8million asking price.
Bayern are unlikely to be taken for a ride either when it comes to putting a valuation on Hargreaves.
Having lost Michael Ballack, the German giants need to hang onto their best midfielders and would be unwilling to lose Hargreaves unless United stump up a fee of around £15million.</SPAN>
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