Germany's Ballack Tempts United, Inter

Germany captain Michael Ballack is being linked with a summer move to Manchester United but some sources suggest that the 28-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder may be playing his soccer next season in Italy with Inter Milan. Ballack has just a year left on his contract with Bayern and has said recently that he would like to join a 'great European club' in the near future. Manchester United will reportedly discuss a deal with Bayern officials in Japan at the end of the month when both sides are there for pre-season friendlies. However, reports in Italy claim that Inter Milan have already persuaded Ballack to sign a three-year deal to start in 2006 when his current contract expires. The Italians' see Ballack as the ideal replacement for ex-United midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron who wants to return to Argentina next summer. Ballack's fellow midfielder Owen Hargreaves has turned down a move to Premiership club Middlesborough despite the English club's assurance that his wages will remain the same as at Munich and that he will have a starting place.