Franck Ribery says the door is 'truly shut' on move from Bayern Munich

16 August 2009 21:42
Chelsea are in the market to make two signings before the transfer window closes at the end of the month and have targeted an attacking player and a holding midfielder. Having apparently lost out on AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo for the latter role, Chelsea have also had an inquiry for Roma's Daniele De Rossi knocked back.[LNB]Ribery has been Chelsea's No 1 transfer target all summer and there has been some encouragement that the player is keen to move although his representatives have made clear that he would prefer a transfer to Spain and either Real Madrid or Barcelona.[LNB]Cristiano Ronaldo transfer: Real Madrid agree £80 million fee with Manchester UnitedBayern have held firm in their valuation of Ribery who they have claimed is worth around the same as Cristiano Ronaldo who moved to Real for £80 million and negotiations have not progressed. Chelsea attempted to entice Bayern by offering Jose Bosingwa who they knew the Germans were interested in plus cash but have since changed their minds about selling the Portuguese international.[LNB]Ribery, who has two years left on his contract, has indicated that he is prepared to stay for another year in the hope that Real will bid for him next summer. He has received indications from the Spanish club that they are prepared to do this. Yesterday he said: "I can't stop clubs making offers for me, and it was not only Real. There was also Barcelona, Manchester [United] and Chelsea. What I can tell them is that I am still at Bayern today. The doors are truly shut. My directors really want me to stay." [LNB]But Bayern also want Ribery to sign a new deal and Real have discussed the possibility of offering money plus Rafael Van der Vaart, who is admired by Bayern's Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal. It is understood that Van Gaal has lost patience with Ribery and has requested that a deal be finalised but that is unlikely to happen.[LNB]Another Real player, Wesley Sneijder, has also been discussed and he is a potential target for Chelsea who have also considered a move for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, although the Premier League club are balking at the transfer price and wage demands associated with the Argentinian striker.[LNB]David Beckham's time at the Los Angeles Galaxy continues to grow sour as he was sent off in Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Seattle. Beckham was given a straight red card for a tackle on midfielder Peter Vagenas in the 17th minute.[LNB][LNB] 

Source: Telegraph