ELBER CONFIRMS BAYERN EXIT DESIRE

The Champions League star, who did so much to help Bayern lift the trophy last season, is ready to walk away from the Bundesliga title winners and spark a major transfer scramble this summer.

Bayern appear to be planning for life without their classy hit-man as they are close to finalising a move for Werder Bremen marksman Claudio Pizarro.

"What happens to Giovane next season?" he wrote on his personal website. "Well, my plan for the future is to play football in Spain or Italy.

"I want to leave Bayern Munich for a country where the weather fits my Brazilian nature.

"It has nothing to do with winning the Champions League. We are still hungry for success and Bayern Munich will remain at the top for another five years.

"I still have a contract in Munich until 2004," he added. "And playing in Munich for another three years would be no problem for me.

"But I'd like to end my career in another country.

"Claudio Pizarro will join Bayern next season and I think he's great. Maybe he has been bought to replace me.

"I will have a talk with Uli Hoeness this weekend to talk about my future."

Hoeness has insisted Bayern will fight to keep Elber at the club but his desire to move on could ensure a transfer to La Liga or Serie A.