"He's a guarantee to score goals, he has character and always helps the team; he's a special type of player," Beckenbauer was quoted as saying in Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I really hope he comes."

Asked if Bayern had already agreed a deal with Fiorentina to sign Toni, Beckenbauer said: "I don't know, I can only say that Bayern needs new blood. All transfers are handled by (Karl-Heinz) Rummenigge and (Uli) Hoeness."

Last weekend German magazine Sport-Bild reported that Toni had already agreed to sign for Bayern at the end of the season in a deal worth 18 million euros.

Having been part of Italy's 2006 World Cup squad, Toni scored two goals in the quarterfinals win over the Ukraine. He also netted both goals in Italy's 2-0 victory against Scotland in last month's Euro 2008 qualifier.

Bayern, currently fourth in the Bundesliga, nine points off the pace with three games left, have had an indifferent season and coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has promised sweeping changes for the next campaign.