Hoffenheim makes offer to Usami

OSAKA — Japanese Olympic hopeful Takashi Usami has had an offer to join German first-division club Hoffenheim from Bayern Munich, a Gamba Osaka source said Wednesday.

Usami, who had been on loan to Bayern from Gamba this season, made just three appearances in the Bundesliga and his deal expires at the end of June.

Hoffenheim are the second Bundesliga club after Nurnberg to make an offer for Usami. The 20-year-old has told Gamba he wants to continue playing abroad and the former Asian club champions have expressed their willingness to respect his wishes.

On Tuesday, German daily Bild said Usami was expected to be on the same terms as he was at Bayern with Hoffenheim, who finished 11th in the championship.

Bild said Usami would receive a monthly salary in the neighborhood of €80,000 and would cost Hoffenheim a fee of €300,000.

Bayern have had a disappointing campaign in 2011-12, having settled for runnerup to Borussia Dortmund in both the Bundesliga and the German Cup. They have one match remaining on Saturday, when they host Chelsea in the Champions League final.

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