Interest in Carney soars

The rise and rise of David Carney continues unabated with German giant Bayern Munich making a shock enquiry to Sheffield United over the midfielder's availability.

:: VIDEO - [epl2429|30|EXCLUSIVE Pim Verbeek interviewepl]

The Bundesliga leader - and 20-time champion - is in the midst of tweaking its star-laden squad after a wretched run of results, which has left it clinging on to top spot going into the winter break.

And Carney, 23, jumped out of the pack after an influential performance - and a spellbinding long-range goal - for his country in the 1-0 win over Nigeria last month.

Bayern had scouts in west London that night and there is a very real prospect he could join the four-time European champion in January.

If he does, he'll be among a stellar cast including Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni, French ace Franck Ribery, Dutch international Mark van Bommel, German giant Oliver Khan and Brazilian Ze Roberto - to name but a few.

A stunned Carney - signed by Bryan Robson's Blades for a cut-price $120,000 from Sydney FC after the Asian Cup - said: ''It's true there's been some interest and if it turns into something more then I guess it would be difficult to ignore.''

''I'm very happy in Yorkshire. I've started the last eight games and I'm feeling better every time I play.''

His latest appearance was against Yorkshire rivals Barnsley on Sunday - a match the Blades won 1-0 with Carney substituted in the 67th minute.

''We aim to make the play-offs and get to the Premiership and I don't want to make this (interest in me) a distraction,'' he added.

''I'm letting my agent deal with it and I'm just concentrating on what I do on the pitch.''

''None of this talk will go to my head, if I allowed it to my career would only go backwards.''

The clamour over Carney, one of the defining forces in Sydney's first two A-League seasons, isn't just restricted to Germany where VFL Bochum and Kaiserslautern have also tabled their interest to Blades chairman Kevin McCabe.

Belgian champion Anderlecht – 29-time title winner - went one better and bid $5.5million for the red-head with the educated left foot.

The bid was turned down by the Blades, with Carney only willing to move on if it's an offer too good to refuse.

He also has a message to new Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek: Please pick me for Australia's World Cup qualification duel against Qatar in Melbourne on February 6.

Logistical hurdles have Verbeek leaning towards opting for a squad composed largely of A-League players.

But Carney is desperate to play, even if he only arrives in Melbourne less than 48 hours before kick off.

''This is the World Cup we're talking about,'' he declared.

''It's the sort of stuff you tell your grandkids about and I want to play in every game I can, no matter what it takes.''

''Of course there might be problems with my club and I'll maybe have to talk with Robbo (Blades boss Bryan Robson) but I want to be there and I'm telling the new coach I really want to be a part of it.''

''I hope he gives me a chance.''

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