Bayern Munich claim Germany’s tax laws make it impractical to sell Owen Hargreaves to Manchester United.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the executive board, was adamant that Bayern would reject any United bid for the England midfielder when the transfer window opens in January.
Rummenigge said: “We thought about what to do if we got a good offer, but only the finance minister would be happy.
“Even if we got 30m euros we can only get the tax back on contracts, so we will not sell Hargreaves.”
Hargreaves is recovering from a broken leg, but is thought to be keen on a move to the Premiership, and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has made no secret of his desire to sign the midfielder.
But Rummenigge insists it is not in Bayern’s financial interest to sell Hargreaves.
“Thirty millions euros over four years is 7.5m euros each year and that means we have 22.5m euros the first year and we have to pay tax on that,” he said.
“So Hargreaves will not be going.”
