Bayern Munich cannot compete financially with Chelsea over Michael Ballack, according to Bayern Munich’s commercial manager Uli Hoeness.

The 29-year-old midfielder becomes a free agent in the summer and he has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.

“If he gets an offer from Chelsea, we cannot come up with a better one,” Hoeness told German weekly Sport Bild.

“There is one club in the world we can’t fight with and that’s Chelsea.”

Ballack is reported to be looking a four-year £120,000-a-week contract, but Hoeness said no club would be able to match the financial muscle of Chelsea Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

“If Mr Abramovich wants a player, he will always find a solution and you won’t get a chance,” Hoeness said.

“I don’t have any problems with that. It’s his money.”

Ballack’s agent, Michael Becker, revealed yesterday that Ballack could become a Chelsea player before the beginning of this summer’s World Cup.

“The transfer window opens in May and the World Cup is coming up,” Becker told BBC Sport.

“I think there is definitely something happening before the World Cup.”

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