Ballack wants to stay with Bayern

Germany captain Michael Ballack wants to stay with Bayern Munich for the 2005/06 season and hinted he would like to extend his contract beyond next year.

"We're all assuming that I'm going to be playing here at least until 2006," Ballack told journalists after joining his team at the end of a three-week holiday. "That's why I'm here.

"Bayern have big aims: We want to defend the league championship as well as the German Cup and go far in the Champions League. And I want to be part of that."

Ballack is Bayern's most influential outfield player and took a key role in the league-cup double.

His current deal runs out at the end of the 2005-06 season, meaning he could leave at the end of the campaign on a free transfer, or before then for a cut-price fee.

There have been reports that Bayern would be prepared to offer the 28-year-old midfielder a salary of €10 million to avoid such a situation but Bayern director of football Uli Hoeness rejected that sort of deal outright.

"I'm in the good situation that I can choose," Ballack said, adding he would not let himself be pressured by Bayern managers.

"It's a very important decision for the club and for me and that's why it should be carefully considered.

"It could take a few days, a few weeks or perhaps a few months. But the possibility that I'll extend is high. I feel good here."

Earlier, Hoeness told German television that Bayern would be prepared to lose Ballack when his contract is up next year rather than pay the sort of huge salary on offer elsewhere in Europe.

"We insist on sporting success being tied to financial prudence," Hoeness said. "The point may come when we have to say no."

"When people start talking about 10 million-plus I just don't understand the world any more," Hoeness added.

"Surely no-one believes Ballack earns more than four million or thereabouts? And we're supposed to be considering more than doubling that?"

Ballack was linked last year with a possible move to Spain, where the salaries paid by leading clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona dwarf the amounts available in Germany.

Clubs in England and Italy could also offer far more than Bayern Munich would be prepared to pay.