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Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness expects his club to soon become "the richest in the world", but that does not mean coach Louis van Gaal can plan any major investments in the squad.

Hoeness confirmed that Bavarian car manufacturer Audi is considering a &euro100 million investment in the club to secure a 10% stake in its holding company, FC Bayern AG.

Furthermore, the club's main sponsor Telekom is set to extend its contract which expires next summer, making the club over &euro120 million better off.

But Hoeness plans to use that money to pay off debts related to the construction of the Allianz Arena to make the stadium the club's own property.

Only when that is done and the income from ticket sales starts flowing into the club's accounts will funds be made available for squad strengthening.

"To have our own stadium without debts would obviously be a dream," said Hoeness in the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper. "Then we would be the richest club in the world."

Audi's interest in taking a stake in the club emerged last week and Hoeness admitted it is a deal which could well be realised.

"We are thinking of ways of bringing FC Bayern financially into the Champions League," he explained.

"It is a great signal when a world-renowned company (Audi) has declared itself open to such a partnership, particularly in a time of economical crisis."

Bayern currently pay &euro30 million a year in repayments for the stadium which they built together with city rivals 1860.

They have already paid their neighbours a considerable sum to acquire their share of the ground and the second division side are now regarded as tenants and must pay Bayern an annual rent to continue playing in the arena.

To completely own their own home would provide a solid foundation for the club to challenge the domination of Spanish and English clubs in Europe with all of gate receipts "then being invested in the team," according to Hoeness.

PA Sport