Bayern boss Rummenigge inists Ribery will stay

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisted on Wednesday that French star Franck Ribery will stay at the German giants this summer even though his contract is set to expire next season.

The 27-year-old winger is under contract at Bayern until June 30, 2011, but he has delayed signing a contract extension and Munich could sell the Frenchman this summer rather than risk losing him on a free transfer.

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have been linked to Ribery in recent months.

“At the moment, I assume he will stay,” Rummenigge told Bild.

“Our goal is still to extend his contract, but if that doesn’t happen there is no guarantee we will sell Franck this summer.

“Next season, we want a team who can reach their potentional nationally and go a bit further on the international stage.

“We want to be able to meet teams like Barcelona at eye-level and for something like that, Franck is very important to us.”

Bayern coach Louis van Gaal is also part of Rummenigge’s plans for next season, despite the Dutchman suggesting he could quit the club if they win the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

“I believe he is very happy here and knows what he has at Bayern,” said Rummenigge, with Bayern set to face Lyon in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

“You could see him smiling when he said he would leave (if Bayern win the treble).”