Bayern president Beckenbauer sets £80m asking price for Franck Ribery

29 July 2009 15:05
Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has tried to scare off Chelsea and Real Madrid by slapping an £80million price-tag on Franck Ribery. The France star has been courted by Europe's top clubs this summer - including Barcelona and Manchester United - but the Germans have been steadfast in their determination to keep the 26-year-old. Bayern's many directors have enjoyed bandying about ridiculous figures for the wantaway attacking midfielder and now 'Der Kaiser' insists Ribery is in the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Manchester United in a world-record £80m move to Real Madrid last month. Beckenbauer, concerned that interest has not subsided in their top player, said: 'All this noise is not necessary. 'Especially not when you have a new coach coming into the team, who wants to prepare it in a calm way and not have to deal with the Ribery issue every day. 'But should Bayern just give Ribery away? We naturally want what the market demands and if a Cristiano Ronaldo is worth (£80m) then Ribery is worth a similar amount. 'And if this is not being offered then he will just have to stay with us as he has a contract until 2011,' Beckenbauer said. United have already been put off by Bayern's stance and instead signed Antonio Valencia from Wigan for £17m. Bayern bosses Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have maintained the club's policy was not to sell the 26-year-old, whom they say is fully committed to playing in the Bundesliga this season. 'Just like in the board game Monopoly, Mayfair is not for sale, if you own it,' Hoeness said last week. They even backed Ribery publicly welcoming Madrid's interest by saying it was only natural for the player to be attracted by the Spanish giants' offer given the riches he could earn at the Bernabeu. Ribery has been out injured for the past two weeks and will not take part in a mini-tournament on Wednesday and Thursday between Bayern, Boca Juniors, AC Milan and Manchester United. He could also miss the start of the German season, which begins a week earlier than the Premier League on Auguest. 7. Ribery looked less than impressed at a club photo session on Tuesday, particularly as he was handed the No 11 shirt bearing the name of new signing Ivica Olic.

Source: Daily_Mail