Bayern and Real still fighting over Ribery?

The transfer rumours surrounding twenty-six year old French international Franck Ribery continue to make the headlines. Ribery is under contract at Bayern Munich until 2011 and the club have repeatedly said that he is not for sale.

Bernabeu

Ribery himself has made it known that he would like to join the growing list of stars heading to the Bernabeu to play for Real Madrid.

In Germany it is reported that Ribery has been offered ten million euros a year to join the Galacticos. That works out at around one hundred and sixty five thousand pounds per week. Who wouldn’t be tempted by that sort of offer?

Now Bayern Munich’s general manager Uli Hoeness has come out to say he fully understands why his prized asset would want to leave the club. Talking to Stern newspaper he said,

“I can fully see Franck’s viewpoint. You have to be aware that this is all about massive sums of money, unimaginable amounts. Franck is twenty-six years old and it’s quite natural that he would be tempted by all this. I would be interested to see how the other players at the club would react when confronted by something like that, if they had an offer from Real Madrid. I doubt that they would all happily continue being a Bayern Munich player.”

Hoeness is absolutely right. Many of us, me included, have moaned about players chasing the money and showing a lack of loyalty. However, when it actually comes down to it, the temptation to take the money would be too great for almost any of us. People can talk about new challenges and the like but it is simply human nature to be lured by the ridiculous salaries being touted.

Insisted

Despite being terribly understanding about Ribery’s situation, Hoeness insisted that despite reports of a substantial offer being tabled by Real Madrid, there was no way the player would be leaving Munich.

“Franck Ribery will remain at Bayern Munich. There is no doubt.”

That is a fairly clear cut statement and Hoeness will look a little silly if the transfer does go ahead. Could it be that an agreement has been reached for Ribery to go to Madrid next summer? It is just remotely possible that a precedent was set in this regard by Cristiano Ronaldo.

What are Bayern so desperate to keep and Real Madrid so keen to get?

Flying

The flying winger has played thirty-eight times for France, scoring seven goals. He has played for several French clubs and had a short loan spell at Galatasaray, before moving to Munich in June 2007. Bayern paid Marseille a club record wenty-five million euros to get their man.

The 2007-08 season saw Ribery play an instrumental role in guiding Bayern to the Bundesliga and German Cup double. His performances in that season earned him the title of French player of the year, German footballer of the year and a place in the UEFA team of the year.

Form

After the highs of that great season, last season saw Bayern struggling to recapture their form under new manager Jurgen Klinsmann. The manager was eventually sacked and Bayern finished the season in the runners-up spot. Their German cup run came to a crashing halt with a 4-2 quarter-final defeat by Bayer Leverkusen.

In the Champions League things looked to be going well when they comfortably won their group and then destroyed Sporting Lisbon in the first knockout round. Unfortunately for them they ran into the juggernaut that is Barcelona and found themselves 4-0 down before half-time and out of the tournament in the first leg.

Success

Bayern Munich will want their record buy to have one more season at the club to try to gain the success that they desperately want in European competition.

There is no doubt that Franck Ribery is a great player and I would guess that there is also little doubt that he will end up at Real Madrid either this summer or next.