Ribery hints at leaving Bayern

Bayern Munich’s French ace Franck Ribery has hinted that he could leave the German giants sooner rather than later.

The 25-year-old former Marseille playmaker is under contract at the Allianz Arena until the summer of 2011, but has called into question his long-term future with Bayern.

“I have a four-year-contract, but promising that I will fulfil it? That is difficult," He told Bild. "I feel very happy, but that is difficult. I am open to anything. In football you never know what is going to happen."

Ribery signed for Bayern in the summer of 2007 and has scored 21 goals in 54 appearances for the Bavarian club.

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Bayer Leverkusen have snapped up veteran Polish midfielder Thomas Zdebel on a short-term contract from Bochum.

The 35-year-old had been frozen out at his previous club after a clash with coach Marcel Koller and has joined Leverkusen on a contract running until the end of the season.

Zdebel has also played in Germany for Rot-Weiss Essen and Koln, while also enjoying spells in Belgium and Turkey with Lierse and Genclerbirligi.

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Veteran striker Oliver Neuville has signed a contract extension to keep him with Bundesliga basement side Borussia Monchengladbach until the end of next season.

The 35-year-old Germany international's current deal runs out next summer, but Neuville is more than happy to stay put.

He told the club's official website: "We have a really young team with very talented, but still inexperienced players. These players need support, both on the pitch and away from it. I believe that, with my experience, I can be a help."

"We are bottom and certainly have a tough second half of the season ahead of us, but I am sure that we will remain in the Bundesliga."

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Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claims Cologne are close to matching their valuation of unsettled striker Lukas Podolski.

The Germany international has asked to leave the reigning Bundesliga champions after two frustrating years down the pecking order and has been strongly linked with a return to his former club.

Bayern are adamant that Podolski will not be allowed to leave for less than the ten million euros they paid to sign him in 2006, but Rummenigge claims a deal is close to being struck.

"There is nothing to discuss," he said. "We want a double figure amount. But I have to say that Cologne have shifted once again. The whole thing is looking good. I am confident it will be done.

"They still have to offer a bit more. But between the amount they are offering and the amount that we want, there is no longer too big a difference. They are on good path."