Rummenigge says Ballack will leave Bayern

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Germany captain Michael Ballack will leave at the end of the season. "I think he will go. If you can't extend your contract inside six months, then you also won't manage to do so afterwards. "That's...

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes Germany captain Michael Ballack will leave at the end of the season.

"I think he will go. If you can't extend your contract inside six months, then you also won't manage to do so afterwards.

"That's my experience. We've been speaking to Ballack from May to November," Rummenigge told Germany's top-selling Bild newspaper yesterday.

Ballack says he has not yet decided whether he will remain at Bayern after the 2005-06 season.

The playmaker's agent has fuelled speculation of a possible move on a free transfer to a top club in Spain, Italy or England next season after his Munich contract expires. Real Madrid are favourites to sign him.

Rummenigge, speculating about possible purchases for next season, praised Werder Bremen midfielder Tim Borowski and Germany striker Lukas Podolski, currently with Cologne.

"Of course it would be desirable if he (Podolski) would be playing here in the summer," Rummenigge told Bild.

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