Hoeness: We will break the bank for Bastian

(GSM) – Bayern München president Uli Hoeness has expressed his willingness to break the bank in a bid to convince Bastian Schweinsteiger to commit his future to the club.

The 26-year-old, whose contract expires in 2012, recently expressed an interest in the Premier League.

And if the Germany international fails to commit to Bayern, he could be sold for a cut-price fee next summer.

But Hoeness has told Schweinsteiger to name his price for a new contract.

”Bastian certainly knows what he has got here,” he told LIGA total television.

”It is not like he is going to have to sign up for benefits. If our guys need more money from the board, then they will get it. We will not be tight because we know exactly how important he is for us.”

Hoeness also warned interested clubs to keep their hands off because they will not be able to compete.

”The guys from Real (Madrid) tried it with Franck Ribery and all they got was a bloody nose,” he said. ”Everybody in Europe has got to start learning what they are up against with Bayern, and that it is not so easy (to sign our players).”

However, Schweinsteiger maintained that he did not know what would happen regarding his contract and expressed his admiration for the Premier League.

“I love the kind of speed of the English game but I don’t know what will happen with me,” he told the Sunday Times. “I have a contract until 2012 and we’ll see.

“What I love is the atmosphere in English stadiums. When we played last year in Manchester it was fantastic. My brother is a big fan of Man U and he always says, ‘Go to Man U, go to Man U.’ I say, ‘I can’t, I can’t. I watch the English games on TV and I like the Chelsea style at the moment. They’re very strong.”

The midfielder also claimed he admires the loyalty of the English supporters.

“For me, in England the fans are better,” he added. “When the team give their best, they are not booing. It’s more like they are fans more with the heart.”