FC Cincinnati hopeful of signing Bayern Munich great Muller

FC Cincinnati’s co-chief executive Jeff Berding says the club have offered a contract to Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller.

The German, who has spent his whole career at Bayern, will leave the club at the end of the Club World Cup when his contract expires.

Muller has made 752 appearances for Bayern in all competitions, scoring 250 goals for the club during his glittering 17-year spell with the first team.

He is Bayern’s all-time record appearance holder, winning 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues.

Muller was on target for Bayern in their opening Club World Cup game, netting twice in their 10-0 rout of Auckland City in Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium.

Cincinnati hold Muller’s discovery rights, giving them first refusal to negotiate with him should he wish to move to MLS, and Berding is hopeful the 35-year-old will elect to make the move to Ohio.

“We made him a good offer, we had several discussions with his advisors,” Berding told Bild. “In the end, he has many options.

“We respect if he and his advisors are looking for something else. That’s part of the football business.

“It’s not over until he signs with another club. We know this is his farewell tour [at the Club World Cup] with Bayern Munich, and he’ll then decide what to do next.

“We also know what we have here: a big stadium, a good atmosphere, and great conditions. Who knows what will happen in the end?

“We are a club with a great German history, and we are capable of winning titles. Thomas is a winner; he has won a lot. We think he would fit in very well with us.”