Source: SKY_Sports
Hoeness - Hands off Ribery
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has reiterated the club's desire to keep hold of France ace Franck Ribery.[LNB] The playmaker is under contract for two more years at Allianz Arena, but speculation has suggested that he could move on at the end of the season, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus all linked with the 25-year-old.[LNB]Ribery's agent has stated that his client would welcome the opportunity to play for Barca or Manchester United, but Hoeness insists Bayern want to keep hold of the midfielder.[LNB]"He is on a contract without any clauses for two more years and he and his family are enjoying being at Munich.[LNB]"There is only the chance that a lack of trophies with regard to European Club Competitions could significantly turn his thoughts to a move," Hoeness told BILD.[LNB]However, Hoeness is well aware that speculation over Ribery's future will continue despite Bayern's firm stance.[LNB]DevelopmentHe added: "There will be some development in the next months. What is about to happen at Real (Madrid)? What happens at other clubs? If there is a star-player bought by a club somewhere, the other club will look at targets with that money and probably one target might be Ribery then."[LNB]He added the club do not have an asking price as regards Ribery, whom they wish to keep "with all our might".[LNB]"There will be enquiries and therefore it will be most important we[LNB]do not begin to totter and stay firm to our statements to keep him here," he said.[LNB]"Otherwise there will be unrest and his agents could get the feeling they could succeed.[LNB]"If we stay firm to our statements until 31st August 2009, when the window is closing, we could even try to sign him on for longer than the end of his current deal."[LNB]
