BAYERN Munich president Franz Beckenbauer on Sunday blasted French midfield star Franck Ribery for being more interested in his own career than the club.

'Ribery only came to Bayern to make his name. He's French and he cares nothing for Munich,' said former German football star Beckenbauer.

Asked on the possibility of Ribery breaking his contract a year before it ended, Beckenbauer said: 'Why sign a four-year contract if you only want to stay three years?'

The 26-year-old, a member of the Bayern squad for the past two years, is known to have been attracted by the lure of Real Madrid, but the high-spending Spanish club baulked at the 80 million euro (S$164 million) price tag set for the France international.


AFP via Straits Times

Franck Ribery has denied he wants to leave Bayern Munich for Real Madrid and insists he doesn't want a "controversy" with his club.

The midfielder was quoted last week as saying he'd made up his mind to leave Bayern with Real Madrid his intended destination, but he told Munich's Tz newspaper on Monday: "I have never said that I wanted to go.

"They were not my words, what I said was misinterpreted. I don't understand the whole discussion. I don't want a controversy with Bayern Munich. I would gladly clarify the situation.

"We have to wait and see if there is an offer coming and then sit down and talk. I do not want to say anything wrong right now.''

Ribery was reported as telling a French newspaper last week: "I have decided that I want to leave. It will be Real Madrid or nothing. I will wait to see how things pan out but I would like to hold talks with the Bayern management soon.''

Ribery also denied suggestions today he missed training sessions over the weekend so as not to jeopardise a move by picking up an injury.

"That is a lie,'' he said. "I have a heel problem and also a blister. I want to get back training as soon as possible.''


[Soccernet]

Bayern Munich sporting director Christian Nerlinger believes the club can convince Franck Ribery to stay by matching his lofty ambition.

Ribery has made no secret of his desire to play for the likes of Real Madrid or Barcelona while Chelsea and Manchester United are also tracking the Frenchman, who Bayern claim is one of the best three players in the world at present.

However, Nerlinger is convinced he can help build a team around Ribery; one that he can be proud of and one which will not only convince him to fulfil the remaining two years of his contract, but stay with them even longer.

''We have got to provide Franck with the perspective of being on the same level as Europe's elite,'' he said. ''That is what he wants and then he will be happy in Munich.''

Bayern have already splashed the cash in the transfer market this summer, giving new coach Louis van Gaal several new players to work with next season, including 30m euro striker Mario Gomez and former Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Anatoliy Tymoschuk.

Yet Nerlinger has not ruled out spending even more to ensure Bayern can challenge in the Champions League as well as the Bundesliga in the coming seasons, if only to satisfy the Frenchman.

''In the mid-term, we will have very, very positive conditions here,'' he added in the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. ''We have got to offer him a top European club.''

Ribery will report back for pre-season training with Bayern on Wednesday, barring a last-minute change of heart by the Bavarian club's management as Real maintain their interest in the 26-year-old, aided by their new transfer advisor Zinedine Zidane, who appears to be doing all he can to convince Bayern to part company with the winger.

A sale is still possible until the end of August, though, and Bayern's bosses may well change their minds if they get the impression Ribery is no longer committed to their club.

''Obviously Ribery himself is decisive: what does he want and how does he behave,'' added Nerlinger, who will be keeping a close eye on the Frenchman in the build-up to the new season.


[Soccernet]

The long wait to decide the future of Franck Ribery could soon be over after the player's agent revealed that the Frenchman wants to sign for Real Madrid. Ribery has his pick of Europe's top clubs this summer, but appears set on a move to the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid and Barcelona head the queue for the midfielder, but agent Alan Miglaccio says that the Bayern star has been persuaded that joining Madrid would be a better option by compatriot Zinedine Zidane, who now works for Los Merengues.

Bayern have previously stated that they do not want to sell Ribery and, although the club's board and officials are currently on their holidays, a deal appears to be edging closer.

"Ribery would prefer to play for Real Madrid ahead of Barcelona," Miglaccio told RAC-1. "The player has spoken with Zinedine Zidane and wants to sign for Los Merengues.

"At this time any move is off because the people at Bayern are on holiday until the end of the month. I cannot say anything more until we meet with them in the coming weeks."

Zidane, in his new role as Los Blancos' sporting advisor, revealed last week that the club will do everything they can to bring Ribery to the Bernabeu.

"I am not in Madrid at the moment, but there are meetings being held at the moment regarding this matter. The negotiations are on the right track," he told Le Parisien. "I am all for Ribery joining Madrid and I will do everything to make it possible."

Ribery has been valued at around €70m by the German club but, with Madrid pulling out of negotiations over Valencia's David Villa, could now be the next big name to arrive in the Spanish capital.


[Soccernet]

Bayern Munich have denied reports earlier on Wednesday that they were preparing to sell midfielder Franck Ribery.

LarsBaron/GettyImages

Quotes attributed to club president Franz Beckenbauer in the Sport Bild magazine suggested they had decided to allow their star player to move clubs: "We discussed the issue at our last board meeting and we all agreed that, if he really wants to leave, then we will deal with the issue."

However, Bayern have now come out to say the article was a "false announcement and does not reflect the truth". Even so, it is sure to alert those interested that there is the possibility of a deal before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

"There is no such resolution by the advisory board of FC Bayern Munich AG which includes the issue of a sale of the player Franck Ribery," explained the club in an official statement.

"The transfer (sale) of a player does not need the approval of the advisory board, according to the constitution of the FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors.

"The FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors have made the overwhelming resolution that the player Franck Ribery is not for sale."

The Bundesliga side have previously refused to consider selling the France international unless they receive a "crazy offer".

Real Madrid were thought to be favourites to sign the 26-year-old but stated earlier this week that they felt he was too expensive. That could mean Manchester United step to the front of the queue as they look to spend some of the £80m set to come their way from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu.

Barcelona and Chelsea, eager to sign top players in a younger age bracket, will also be watching with interest as to how the transfer saga develops in the coming weeks.

Previously it was though Bayern would look for €75m for Ribery, but if the player has suggested he wishes to move on the German outfit will not have such a position of power over the fee they demand.

Chelsea, United and Barca have already made firm enquiries about the playmaker.

But Real could come back into the running by offering Bayern some of their Dutch stars, who are all set to leave the club, as a makeweight. Reports in Spain suggest Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder have both been put forward as options for new Bayern's new Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.

[Soccernet]

Zinedine Zidane, an advisor to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, has spoken to France midfielder Franck Ribery to try and convince him to move to the Spanish capital from Bayern Munich.

OliverLang/GettyImages

Ribery: A man in demand this summer

"I am in talks with Franck," the former three times World Player of the Year, who wore the Real shirt from 2001 to 2006, told Sunday's edition of French newspaper Le Dauphine Libere.

"He is a fantastic player who has his place at Real. And playing in this team is a career opportunity, which, to me, you do not refuse.

"It would be a nice opportunity for Franck. It is up to him."

Real are on the verge of signing Cristiano Ronaldo after Manchester United accepted a world record bid of £80m ($132.1m) for the Portuguese forward earlier this week.

Brazil playmaker Kaka has already joined from AC Milan for a reported fee of 67m euros ($94.27m), while Ribery is likely to cost around the same amount, if reported bids for the 26-year-old are anything to go by.

"Bringing together the best players in the world has a cost," said Zidane.

[Soccernet]

Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has called for the future of Franck Ribery to be decided one way or another to prevent a long-running soap opera this summer.

The France international has been linked with a host of clubs, including Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, but Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness has sent out mixed signals by first claiming he was not for sale at any price and then expressing his willingness to speak to new Real president Florentino Perez.

Beckenbauer wants the issue resolved, either by signing Ribery to a new contract or selling him.

"I can see only two solutions: Ribery extends his contract so the issue is dealt with or we release him,'' he said. "I rate Ribery alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi as the best footballers in the world at present,'' he added in the Bild newspaper.

"If he were to leave, it would be the second huge loss for the Bundesliga after Diego. 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 offered together with a sizeable sum for a man who, according to Hoeness, has just one of his legs valued at €50m.

Ribery is unsure where his future lies.

"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.


[Soccernet]

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has once again stated that Franck Ribery is not going to be sold this summer after discussing the issue with new coach Louis van Gaal.

Ribery is regarded as one of the hottest commodities on the transfer market this summer, with some of Europe's top clubs reportedly lining up to sign him, but Bayern's new coach has requested he be allowed to work with the Frenchman next season.

''He really wants to keep him,'' announced Hoeness after holding talks with van Gaal. ''We will not let Ribery go.''

Nevertheless, Hoeness expects a busy summer of turning down offers for the midfielder.

''Most clubs only ended their season (recently) and when the players go on holiday, the bosses start with their planning,'' he added in Munich's Abendzeitung newspaper.

''There will be enquiries for Ribery in the next four to six weeks, I'm sure. But we have not had any decisive enquiry and we are not interested in any of the rumours in the English press.

''We will be polite, but we will not negotiate. We are not going to celebrate on the telephone when somebody offers a certain amount.''

Van Gaal arrived in Munich on Monday and has also addressed the issue of Luca Toni, who seems to be surplus to requirements following the signing of Mario Gomez from Stuttgart and Ivica Olic from Hamburg.

Unlike with Ribery, Hoeness would not hang up the phone immediately on an offer for the Italian.

''In general, four strikers are enough, but if we have five, then we have five,'' he said. ''We will not be sending anybody away. But if somebody comes to us and wants one of our strikers, then we will talk.''

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has put a price tag on Franck Ribery of "at least 100 million euros'' as several clubs continue to be linked with the Frenchman.

Chelsea were reported to be considering making an offer in the region of 50 million euros, but Hoeness insists he would only listen to an offer of double that much, claiming yesterday that you could "get one of his legs at best" for such a sum.

"If I hear that there was an offer for 125 million euros for Kaka, then Ribery has a market value of at least 100 million,'' Hoeness told the Bild newspaper. "But I don't want to talk about a fee we would consider because we want to keep hold of Franck.''

According to Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Ribery will still be a Bayern Munich player next season, no matter what Chelsea or any other club offers.

He told Munich's Tz newspaper that "only FC Bayern decides what happens, however many millions are offered. We do not want to sell Franck."

Bayern Munich have dismissed reports that Chelsea have opened negotiations to sign midfielder Franck Ribery, claiming that the Frenchman is ''not for sale''.

Various tabloids in the UK have linked the 26-year-old playmaker with a move away from Germany and the Bundesliga in recent weeks, and new speculation had suggested that the two clubs have now agreed a fee for the French international.

Bayern have stated that they want to keep Ribery, although that has not stopped the speculation about his future, forcing the club into another public statement.

"This story is completely untrue," Bayern media officer Markus Horwick told Deutsche Presseagentur. "Franck Ribery remains not for sale."

''Our stance has not changed: we would like to extend Ribery's contract, not sell him.''

The in-form Frenchman has been consistently linked with a move away with Chelsea the latest club to be linked with the former Marseille man. Chelsea's managerial target Carlo Ancelotti recently revealed that Ribery would be one of the first players he would try to sign if he took control at Stamford Bridge.

Ribery's contract with Bayern still has two years left to run on it, but general manager Uli Hoeness recently admitted Manchester United had made a ''casual inquiry''. Whether that inquiry develops into something more serious will depend on the future of Cristiano Ronaldo and the long-running saga over a prospective move to Real Madrid.

Ribery has also been linked with Real in recent months, while Barcelona dropped their interest after talks with Bayern over a possible deal were made public.

Manchester United are reported to have tabled a £62.5m bid to Bayern Munich to secure the services of French midfielder Franck Ribery as a contingency should Cristiano Ronaldo leave for Real Madrid this summer.

The Guardian report that United made the offer some weeks ago after club scouts repeatedly watched the 26-year-old in action.

The offer, which would smash the current world record transfer of £44m set in 2001 when Real Madrid signed Zinedine Zidane from Juventus, would only come into effect if Ronaldo leaves for the Bernabeu.

While the paper contends that the Portuguese star is almost certain to leave, earlier this week the World Player of the Year said: "I'm no longer thinking of Madrid. That dream is dead," but despite the 24-year-old's comments speculation over his future and links with Madrid are inevitable given his standing in the game.

Although Bayern are understood to have turned down United's offer it could regarded as an opening gambit in negotiations for an increasingly unsettled player who has no shortage of suitors, with Barcelona and Manchester City already linked with summer bids.

Ribery has grown increasingly discontented at the Bundesliga club this season and last week said that he might have to leave unless the club can secure Champions League football next season.

Only Germany's top two teams are guaranteed places in the Champions League and while Bayern are currently second three points off behind leaders VfL Wolfsburg Hertha Berlin, Vfb Stuttgart and Hamburg are keeping the pressure on Bayern.

The former Marseille player, who moved to Munich in 2007 and is contracted to Bayern until 2011, has so far rejected the chance to begin talks over a new contract.

Over the weekend Bayern were linked a move for Werder Bremen's Brazilian playmaker Diego, with general manager Uli Hoeness quoted in the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper saying Diego "becomes an issue for us if Ribery actually leaves." In response Werder director of sport Klaus Allofs admitted: "I cannot say that we will not be selling any player because somebody may come in with a gigantic offer," said Allofs. "If Bayern were to call, then I would not hang up."

Italian giants Juventus have already made contact with Bremen about Diego, while Serie A rivals Inter Milan are also thought to be keen on the attacking midfielder.

It would be hard for Franck Ribery to stay at Bayern Munich if they fail to qualifiy for next season's Champions League, the France midfielder said on Thursday.

"It would be difficult for me to stay if we do not reach this goal," he told French sports daily L'Equipe. "It is why the club must, at all cost, finish at least in second place."

Bayern, whose coach Juergen Klinsmann was fired and replaced by Jupp Heynckes earlier this week, are third in the Bundesliga standings, three points adrift of leaders VfL Wolfsburg.

They host second-from bottom Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday.

"We want to win the league," said Ribery. "It is still possible, but the priority of the club and of the coach is to make sure we finish at least in second place to qualify directly for the Champions League."


[Reuters]