Bayern Munich Rumored to Want Park Ji-sung

Bayern Munich is preparing seven million pounds (10.5 million U.S. dollars) to get Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung, the U.K. newspaper Daily Mail said Thursday.

Park, 29, was transferred from PSV Eindhoven of the Netherlands to United in 2005 for four million pounds (8 million dollars).

“Park Ji-sung’s active play and his understanding of space would attract any team,” KBS sports anchor Han Joon-hee said. “This is because Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal would mesh with Park due to his stress on team loyalty.”

SBS sports anchor Park Moon-sung said, “A renowned team such as Bayern Munich will certainly feel Park’s experience in big matches as an attraction.”

It is premature to say this is a done deal, however. First, Park might not be guaranteed a major role for the German team. Bayern Munich has outstanding strikers such as Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, both of whom play Park’s position. Excellent substitutes including Hamit Altintop mean Park would face cutthroat competition for playing time.

Park’s intention is also a factor considering his desire to retire as a Red Devil. His management company also denied the transfer rumor, saying, “We’ve received no official offer from Munich. Park is satisfied at ManU.”

Park’s contract expires in 2012 and the player remains a favorite of United coach Sir Alex Ferguson, so the notion that the rich English team will let him go is questionable.

niceshin@donga.com