Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bayern reiterate Ribery stance

Pa
Friday 26 June 2009 10:14 BST
Comments
(GETTY IMAGES)

Bayern Munich have again ruled out the prospect of selling in-demand midfielder Franck Ribery, insisting the "irreplaceable" player is not for sale at any price.

Ribery is one of Europe's hottest properties, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona reportedly vying for his signature.

Madrid are the favourites to land the 26-year-old France international, whose agent claimed on Wednesday that he had not given up hope on a move to the Bernabeu.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinze Rummenigge has however reiterated that the Bundesliga giants will not be swayed, adding that their refusal to discuss a fee is not their way of pushing up the asking price.

"Franck Ribery is irreplaceable," he told L'Equipe. "Real Madrid know our position: he is not for sale.

"That Franck wants to go to Real is not a surprise. It's a fascinating club and attractive on a financial level. But Bayern are not a bad club either.

"At our club the doors are solid and very resistant and we're not going to push up the bidding.

"Ribery figures among the best players of the world. And when you have a player of this quality among the squad you don't separate.

"We want to build around this player who (Bayern coach) Louis van Gaal absolutely wants under his command."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in