Franck Ribery's future uncertain amid interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea

08 June 2009 11:43
New Real president Florentino Perez has made Ribery one of his priority signings for the close season, while the French international has also been linked with several other leading European clubs including those in the Premier League "I will see how my situation is going to develop. Honestly, I don't know – my situation isn't easy to deal with," the former Marseille winger said. "I am under contract until 2011 with Bayern, I am fine over there. I'm not someone who likes to clash – I have spent two good years at Bayern. "We will see how everything turns out." Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has sent out mixed signals by first claiming Ribery was not for sale at any price, then expressing his willingness to speak to Perez. Today, Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer called for Ribery's future to be decided one way or another to prevent a long-running soap opera this summer. "I can see only two solutions: Ribery extends his contract so the issue is dealt with or we release him," Beckenbauer told Bild newspaper. "I rate Ribery alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi as the best footballers in the world at present." "If he were to leave, it would be the second huge loss for the Bundesliga after Diego (who left Werder Bremen for Juventus). "However, if Ribery wants to leave, then it will be hard for us to keep hold of him." Nevertheless, Beckenbauer does not believe Bayern's world would fall apart without the 26-year-old. "So many so-called irreplaceable players have gone yet football has still moved on," he said. "Obviously it would be a shame, though, and it is hard to imagine Bayern being better without Ribery." Real are believed to be preparing a bid which would tempt Bayern's new Dutch coach Louis van Gaal by offering his two compatriots, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, in addition to a sizeable sum for the player.

Source: Telegraph