Bundesliga - Toni considers Bayern exit

Eurosport - Wed, 09 Sep 15:02:00 2009

Italy striker Luca Toni said he will ask to leave Bayern Munich if he fails to win back a first-team place.

FOOTBALL 2009 Bayern Toni - 0

Toni, 32, has fallen behind new signings Mario Gomez and Ivica Olic in the pecking order at the Allianz Arena and an injury at the start of the season has not allowed him to prove his worth.

Bayern refused his exit in the summer but, with the World Cup next summer, the former Fiorentina and Palermo hit-man knows he must play regularly if he is to represent the Azzurri in South Africa.

"If I am not given any playing time I will speak to the club, that declared me not transferable this summer, to understand what my future is," Toni told Kicker magazine. "There's a World Cup in a year's time and a title to be defended and I don't want to miss that chance."

Toni believes that, when fit, he has the ability to challenge for a starting berth alongside Germany star Miroslav Klose, but he accepts that the form of record signing Gomez - who has scored four in five for Bayern so far this season - may limit his opportunities.

"First I have to be fit again, then I am not worried," he added.

"But if my services are not required, I will consider a transfer. I will not be a burden to the club, though, and if I have to sit on the bench for a while I will.

"But I have a desire to play. I am a striker and I want to play for Italy at the World Cup."

Toni was linked with Tottenham Hotspur and more recently West Ham.

Eurosport

Comment 1 - 3 of 3

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. personally i dont think luca toni will make the­ starting line up in the azzuri side wether hes playing­ regularly or not.as far as im concerned if marcello­ lippi does pick him from the start then it will be a­ very big mistake,the last thing we need in the side are­ passengers.so my message is thanks luca you will not be­ forgotten for helping italy to win the world cup in­ 2006.but let the hungry youngsters have a­ go........p.s its nice to see the greatest club team in­ the world on top of serie a.......FORZA DORIA

    From ginopiazza, on Sat 12 Sep 4:01PM

  2. TONI its time to move may be to serie A.

    From ZECCHARIAS, on Wed 9 Sep 11:59PM

  3. great first season, difficult second but it is time for­ Toni to move on, surely to his final club. He has been­ fantastic in the twilight years of his career and that­ should not be forgotten, especially his contribution to­ Fiorentina (31 league goals, winning the golden boot)­ and hauling Bayern to the semi-final of the Uefa cup in­ 2008 with those 2 injury-time goals in the second leg.

    From blythesimon, on Wed 9 Sep 11:09PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account