BERLIN: French midfielder Franck Ribery admitted Wednesday he was deciding whether to prolong his Bayern Munich contract or to join either Barcelona or Real Madrid, but has ruled out a move to Chelsea.
Franck Ribery
The 26-year-old playmaker has a contract in Munich until June 2011, but Bayern are keen for him to sign an extension this summer, rather than risk him leaving on a free transfer when his contract expires.
Ribery has frequently been linked to European giants Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“If I decide not to extend my contract with Bayern, I will go to Spain for sure, although Chelsea is, of course, also a big club that in footballing terms is not far behind Real or Barcelona,” Ribery told German magazine Sport-Bild on Wednesday.
“I can assure you no decision has been taken yet. I need time.
“I must take several factors into account, not just what is good for me, but what is good for my wife and children.”
Ribery said he wanted to sign a five-year contract – whether that is in Germany or Spain.
Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said he expected a decision on Ribery’s future might not come until after this June’s World Cup in South Africa and the Frenchman insists he needs time to decide.
Bayern face Manchester United in the Champions League’s quarter-finals first-leg next Tuesday at Munich’s Allianz Arena and Ribery, who has struggled with injury this season, is respectful of his present club.
“Bayern is a large club, who want to offer the best conditions,” he said.
“I get plenty of love and respect here.”
And the Frenchman said it is not a matter of money.
“The money will not be the deciding factor,” he said.
“The difference between the clubs is not very big, so the decision will not be governed by the bank account, but by the head.”
Having put in some dazzling performances since joining Bayern in 2007, Ribery asked Munich fans for some understanding of his situation.
“I am only human. If you have an offer from a club, then you must be allowed to think about it.
“Some of the best players in the world are playing in Spain.”
One key factor could be decisive is the better weather on the Iberian peninsula compared to Munich, which Ribery’s wife would favour.
“She is a woman of the south, but that is not to say that we do not feel good in Munich,” said Ribery. — AFP