Ribéry sets World Cup deadline for major move

Ribery has been linked with a move to Real (GETTY IMAGES)

The Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribéry wants his future to be sorted out before the start of the World Cup in June. The France international has long been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena although he is tied to the Bundesliga club until 2011.

Bayern's president, Uli Höness, has already admitted that Ribéry may have to be sold next summer if he does not sign a new contract since he would be available for free 12 months later and they "cannot afford to throw 50 to 60 million euros away".

Real Madrid have already signalled their interest in the winger, while Chelsea are also said to be keen. And Ribéry wants to know where he will be playing next season before he steps on the plane to South Africa. "There's a lot of talk about Real Madrid and Chelsea," he said. "It's true, they are two big clubs. But I don't think it will be a long soap opera. It will be quick. We will know before the end of the season. I would want to know before the World Cup."

Ribéry missed much of the first half of the season due to a succession of injuries and his luck has not turned in 2010 as he needed to remove an accumulation of blood from both of his big toes after his first workout of the year at the club's training camp in Dubai.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined for around three months and admits he is feeling frustrated.

"My two toes are really infected," Ribery added. "I have a really bad infection, which is not letting me train normally. It annoys me and makes me feel really bad."