Mark
Mar 18 2003, 10:25 AM
German league leaders Bayern Munich cannot afford to buy any more players for next season, club chief Franz Beckenbauer said on Tuesday.
'Everyone must tighten their belts. The transfer market will not take place in the summer,' Beckenbauer told a business meeting. 'Even we can't afford anyone following our purchases over the past year.'
Bayern have already bought defenders Tobias Rau from VfL Wolfsburg and Martin Demichelis from River Plate for a total of £5million.
They signed Michael Ballack, Ze Roberto and Sebastian Deisler for £16million before the current season.
'We'll be happy if we are able to break even this year,' said Beckenbauer, chairman of Bayern's supervisory board. 'Our revenue has been hit by being knocked out of the Champions League earlier than normal and because of declining television revenue.'
In the 2001/2002 season, Bayern made a profit of £8million on turnover of £120million. Currently 13 points ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the first round.
'Everyone must tighten their belts. The transfer market will not take place in the summer,' Beckenbauer told a business meeting. 'Even we can't afford anyone following our purchases over the past year.'
Bayern have already bought defenders Tobias Rau from VfL Wolfsburg and Martin Demichelis from River Plate for a total of £5million.
They signed Michael Ballack, Ze Roberto and Sebastian Deisler for £16million before the current season.
'We'll be happy if we are able to break even this year,' said Beckenbauer, chairman of Bayern's supervisory board. 'Our revenue has been hit by being knocked out of the Champions League earlier than normal and because of declining television revenue.'
In the 2001/2002 season, Bayern made a profit of £8million on turnover of £120million. Currently 13 points ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, Bayern were knocked out of the Champions League in the first round.