Bayern linked with Friedrich swoop

[swissknife]

Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has intensified speculation that the reigning Bundesliga champions are preparing a big-money offer for Hertha Berlin's Germany international defender Arne Friedrich.
The Bayern boss has confirmed that he is scouring the transfer market for defensive reinforcements, and reports in the German media insist that Friedrich tops his hit-list.

"If we can't handle our problems in defence, we'll have to think about signing someone new," Hitzfeld told Bild.

"We are currently studying the market."

The 24-year-old Friedrich has emerged as a serious force in Rudi Voller's national team in the past 16 months, but is reportedly unhappy about Hertha's poor start to this campaign which has seen the capital club stuck at the wrong end of the Bundesliga table.

The central defender, who is under contract at Hertha until 2005, has so far refused to extend his contract at the Olympiastadion.

It now remains to be seen whether Hertha will risk losing him for free rather than selling their most promising asset either during the winter transfer window, or in the summer of 2004.

[Dandy]

b****. I hope he goes.

There's no F****** loyalty anymore.

[FCBfurimmer]

Originally posted by The Southern Dandy@Nov 13 2003, 04:35 PM
b****. I hope he goes.

There's no F****** loyalty anymore.
bad for Hertha and good for Bayern.. Mybe give you some money and veterans Linke and Lizarazu- pick one

Good thing from Bayern management, finaly some defenders!!!!

[Dandy]

I hope we at least sell him and get some money out of it.

Maybe we can buy someone German with that money for once. Oh, and I'll take Lizarazu over Linke anyday.

What pisses me off is that fact he's mad at Hertha for being so low in the table, but he's also been a part of the team as well. Does he think this all everybody else's fault and not his problem? What a c***.

[swissknife]

yup Hertha makes talent Bayern buys it! lol! Thank you for Deisler :) Who did you buy with the money you got for him??

[Dandy]

Alex Alves. :rolleyes:

[swissknife]

Originally posted by The Southern Dandy@Nov 13 2003, 07:22 PM
Alex Alves. :rolleyes:
lol, remind me of Leverkusen who "replaced" Ballack with Franca.. lol you sell gold and buy crap haha

[FCBfurimmer]

Well Franca is not doing that bad... Alex and Luizaon on other side were realy catastrophical!!!

[Dandy]

Alex wasn't that bad...but Luizao has turned out to be one big horrible joke.

[swissknife]

Wasn't Luizao in the Brazilian squad for WC02 instead of Elber?? :Kenzo's Smiley

[Dandy]

I don't think so.

[swissknife]

yes he was... unless there is another Luizao (striker right?), Im going to look for proof..

[Guday]

Well about this Friedrich guy, is he a real defender??, I know he can score goals and head well. But from the games he played that I had chance to watch, he is just another youngster like Rau who prefer doing something else other than his main job that is to defend.

I know it is difficult to a find a true man-marker these days, the Kohler type that stick like a glue to his man.

Someone in the forum mentioned Hanno Balitsch(sp), I kinda like him, he is very disciplined and read the game well. But I know that, the very games he played for Leverkusen , he palyed on the rightside and not central defense. Maybe Augenthaler should try him in the middle, rather than depend on striker-cum-defenders - Lucio and Juan.

[FCBfurimmer]

Yeah Luizao was world champion with Brazil WC2002, i think he played whole 12 minutes...

[bastian]

friedrich would be a very good option for bayern, they should try to buy metzelder too.........

[swissknife]

Is Friedrich a central defender or right back?

[bastian]

Is Friedrich a central defender or right back?
he's a right back ...........

[bastian]

Friedrich confirms Bayern interest
Tuesday, 18 November 2003


By Chris Ives
German international Arne Friedrich has confirmed that Bayern Munich are hopeful of luring him from fellow Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.
Friedrich, whose contract runs until 2005, has admitted a move to Munich could prove hard to resist.

"I've heard that Bayern have enquired about me," said Friedrich. "That doesn't interest me at the moment, but there will be talks during the winter break.''

Although Berlin general manager Dieter Hoeness has been discussing the possibility of Friedrich extending his stay at the Olympic Stadium, the defender may see the lure of UEFA Champions League football difficult to resist.

Friedrich has stated he will discuss the possibility of a contract extension, but a move to Munich can not be ruled out:

"Bayern being in the Champions League does make a move more attractive," he added.

Of further concern to Berlin supporters is the strong relations between Friedrich's agent Jorg Neubauer and the Bayern bosses. It was he who brokered Sebastian Deisler's move from Berlin to Bayern Munich in 2002.

[Dandy]

From the majority of opinions from the fans, he's as good as gone.

A shame...

I'm hoping we use the money to pay off the 11 million Euro debt we have.

[swissknife]

He's not worth 11mil. If it was up to me Ill not spend a dime over 6m for him.

[Dandy]

He's not worth 11mil. If it was up to me Ill not spend a dime over 6m for him.

I didn't say we're selling him for 11 million. Hertha has an 11 million Euro debt. I'm hoping they use the money from the transfer to pay off some of the debt.