Ribery snubs Chelsea move as Bayern star eyes Real Madrid and Barcelona

24 March 2010 16:11
Franck Ribery has delivered a crushing snub to Chelsea by insisting he will move to Spain if he leaves Bayern Munich this summer.[LNB]The France winger has put off contract talks with the German giants and admits he is struggling to make a decision about where he should play next season.[LNB]But the 26-year-old is certain that he won't be the man to add a bit of fantasy to Chelsea's Champions League failures.[LNB] Looking forward: Ribery (right) looks set to move to Spain this summer[LNB]'Although Chelsea are obviously a big club, if I were to decide against Bayern, then I would certainly go to Spain,' Ribery told Sport Bild magazine.[LNB]  Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is understood to be a huge admirer of the former Marseille star and would have been prepared to bankroll a British-record bid, but Ribery's wife appears to have scuppered the move.[LNB]Ribery revealed his Algerian partner Wahiba had struggled to make friends in Munich and is not fond of the cold winters, but he has not closed the door on signing a new five-year deal at Bayern.[LNB]'I can assure you that no decision has yet been taken,' he said. 'I would be lying if I said I wasn't leaning in one direction, but I have to take into account several factors, not only what is good for me but for my wife and my children.[LNB][LNB]Centre of attention: Ribery is coveted by Europe's top teams[LNB]'My wife is from the south, she needs sun,' said Ribery. 'There are many things to keep in mind, I think about my family. [LNB]'Here it rains and even snows. She (Wahiba) is often alone when I am not there. She doesn't have many friends, but it doesn't mean that we don't feel good in Munich.[LNB]Fitting in: Ribery and his wife Wahiba dress up for Oktoberfest[LNB]'Bayern are a great club who want to offer me the best conditions ever. I feel a lot of respect and love here.[LNB]"The decision will not be made with my bank account, but in my head.'[LNB]Bayern are desperate to keep their star man and had initially set a deadline for the end of March to conclude talks. However, the player has tried to stall negotiations and is ready to spark a scrap between Barcelona and Real Madrid for his signature.[LNB]His employers have conceded they will be forced to sell this summer if they fail to convince him to pen a new contract, otherwise he could leave on a Bosman free at the end of next season.[LNB]Manchester United also enquired about Ribery after selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid last summer, but they backed off at Bayern's request.[LNB]'Real and Barcelona are, perhaps alongside Manchester United and Chelsea, above all other clubs,' said Ribery.[LNB]'I am also only human. If you have an offer from such a club you should be allowed to consider it. It's where the world's best players play.[LNB]Admitting that a decision could be made 'very quickly' in the next few weeks, insisting that sporting considerations rather than money will prove the decisive factor.[LNB]'Barcelona have built a team for the term,' he said. 'Everyone in the world knows how they play. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have invested heavily in superstars, but something is missing.[LNB] Red face: Robben (right) claims he didn't advise Ribery[LNB]'Right now I am pondering what is the most attractive option. Madrid have prestige despite failing in the last 16 of the Champions League for the last six seasons.'[LNB]Arjen Robben has comments that seemed to suggest Ribery should join Barcelona rather than Real Madrid.[LNB]The Holland international, who spent two seasons at Madrid prior to his move to Bayern last summer, told Radio Marca: 'I never said that. He has the quality to play forboth teams, but what I prefer is for him to stay at Munich. Hopefully he will continue with us. I love playing alongside him.'[LNB] Give Chelsea the Blues and join Barca! Robben dishes out advice to RiberyAbramovich won't axe me! Ancelotti vows to fight for his Chelsea jobChelsea close in on deal for Real Madrid forward Van der VaartCompetition: Win VIP tickets for Chelsea v Aston Villa courtesy of BT CHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail