German football press speculates on imminent Karimi transfer to UAE

IRNA - Germany's renowned kicker football magazine has fueled transfer speculations by reporting that Ali Karimi might use Bayern Munich's winter training camp in the the United Arab Emirates to hitch up with a new club in the tiny Persian Gulf sheikdom.

Karimi is set to fly from Tehran to Dubai on Thursday where he will join his Bayern team-mates.

Several UAE clubs have expressed their interest in signing Karimi to a deal.

The Iranian international played for UAE's Al-Ahli from 2001 through 2005 prior to his Bayern engagement.

The 27-year-old Karimi who has yet to score a goal in this Bundesliga season, has mainly languished on Bayern's reserve bench.

Bayern Munich President Franz Beckenbauer had earlier expressed severe doubts as to whether Karimi will have a future at the German club beyond this season.

Local Munich media reported earlier that Bayern won't extend Karimi's contract at the end of this Bundesliga season.

Bayern coach Felix Magath who had great hopes for Karimi when he signed him in 2005, has been frustrated by the Iranian player's unwillingness to learn the German language in a bid to be able to adjust better within the team.