18.03.2010
Bayern may not extend Ribery deal, hints Rummenigge
Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Thursday admitted they may not extend French midfielder Franck Ribery's contract and a decision may only come after June's World Cup.
The 26-year-old Ribery has a Bayern contract until June 2011 and Bayern are keen to extend his deal this season or risk losing him on a free transfer in 18 months.
After dozens of eye-catching performances since he arrived in Munich in 2007, Ribery has been linked to European giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, but Rummenigge insists Bayern will decide where he plays.
"Our first goal is to sign a contract extension with him," Rummenigge told German magazine Kicker after the Bundesliga leaders paid Marseille 25 million euros for Ribery nearly three years ago.
"But I will say this clearly: anyone who believes that we will sell Franck automatically at the end of the season if there is no extension is making an error.
"Bayern Munich will decide where Franck plays next season."
Ribery is worth an estimated 50 million euros on the transfer market and Rummenigge says he has told Bayern president Uli Hoeness they will do everything they can to keep the Frenchman in Munich.
"I had a conversation with Uli on Monday and we will do what is best for Bayern," said Rummenigge.
"We want to have the best team possible for the 2010/2011 season.
"I can't imagine we would opt for a quick-fix solution.
"That is why I have no problem at all if a decision about Franck is only made after the World Cup."
Ribery, who struggled with a persistent knee injury last autumn and an ankle injury in recent weeks, has already said he wants to concentrate on his football with the World Cup set to start in just over 80 days.
France have been drawn in Group A with hosts South Africa, Uruguay and Mexico when the tournament begins on June 11.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Juergen Schwarz
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