Ribery prefers Spain over England

(GSM) – Franck Ribery has ruled out a move to Chelsea or Manchester United by claiming that he’ll move to a Spanish club if he decides to leave Bayern München.

Ribery’s future has been the subject of constant speculation, with a host of clubs including Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and in particular Real Madrid linked with the France international.

Bayern are keen to extend Ribery’s contract, which expires in June 2011, but will decide to sell him this summer if he snubs a new deal.

It is thought that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is an admirer of Ribery and had earmarked him for a move to Stamford Bridge over the summer.

However, the 26-year-old has now made it clear that if he leaves Bayern, his future lies in Spain.

“If I decide not to accept Bayern’s offer of an extension, then certainly I’ll be going to Spain,” Ribery told Bild.

The former Olympique Marseille man also made it clear hat the decision of whether to stay in Germany or go to Spain will not be a purely footballing decision, but also depends heavily on his wife.

“I can assure you that no decision has yet been taken…,” added Ribery. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t leaning in one direction, but I have to take into account several factors, not only what is good for me but for my wife and my children.

“My wife is from the south, she needs sun…There are many things to keep in mind, I think about my family.”

By ruling out a move to an English club it looks like it will become a two-horse race between Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign Ribery.