Dietmar Hopp Wants Manchester United's Tevez

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez is attracting interest from TSG Hoffenheim - the club backed by computer software billionaire Dietmar Hopp.

Around 1990, alumnus Dietmar Hopp returned to the club of his youth, not as a player or manager, but as financial backer. Hopp was the co-founder of software firm SAP and he put some of his money into the club. His contributions generated almost immediate results: in 2000 Hoffenheim finished first in the Verbandsliga and was promoted to the fourth-division Oberliga Baden-Wurttemberg. Another first place finish moved the club up to the Regionalliga (III) for the 2001–02 season. They finished 13th in their first season in the Regionalliga, but improved significantly the next year, earning a fifth place result.

The People says advisors working on behalf of Hopp have contacted Kia Joorabchian, the Iranian businessman who owns Tevez and who is locked in stalled talks with Manchester United over the future of the Argentina striker.

Hopp is German football's Roman Abramovich - and he is desperate to raise Hoffenheim's profile even further.....Back To Home Page...

Manchester United Told "Hands Off" !!

Hoffenheim have no plans to sell in-form striker Vedad Ibisevic, who has reportedly been interesting fellow Bundesliga outfit Bayern Munich and Premiership giants Manchester United.

The 24-year-old Bosnia international has been in sensational form this season and has powered the south-German club ahead of Bayern and Hamburg in only their first season in the top flight. His 13 goals so far see Ibisevic sit atop Bundesliga's scoring chart and also attracted the attention of bigger clubs with a report in the Mail Online claiming that Bayern's former World Cup winner Paul Breitner watched him in Hoffenheim's 3-0 win over Hamburg, as did United representatives.

However, billionaire software maker Dietmar Hopp, who finances the club, has dismissed the possibility of cashing in on one of their assets.

He is quoted as saying: “I have not invested so much in my club to allow others to come along and start picking off our best players. All the players are under contract and are part of an exciting project. We don't need the money, and we won't be selling anyone.” .....Back To Home Page