Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City are on red alert after Bayern Munich revealed that their attempts to kick-start contract negotiations with French international Franck Ribery were rebuffed by the player.
The dynamic winger, who moved to the Allianz Arena three years ago from Marseille in a club record €25 million deal, has hinted that his future in the Bundesliga could end this summer with the constant upheaval at the Bavarian club cited in the German press as a possible motive . The 26-year-old has 18 months left on his contract, but with Bayern fearful of losing their prized asset they could be forced to sell this summer should a bidding war begin between the likes of Manchester City, United, Chelsea and Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Described by Zinedine Zidane as the ‘jewel of French football’ Ribery looks likely to star at the World Cup this summer so long as he can ward off the series of niggly injuries which have hampered his progress this season. Valued in the region of €50 million, few clubs outside the cash-rich trio of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City appear likely to make a move to block the likely Bernabeu approach from Florentino Perez.
Speaking publically about Bayern’s stance on contract negotiations with Ribery, sporting director Christian Nerlinger made clear:
"I spoke with Franck Ribery on Saturday and he said that he would prefer to concentrate on the sporting aspects at the moment.
"I have complete understanding with that and we can even wait until the end of the season before talking."
Ribery has hinted that he could be persuaded to stay at Bayern should the German side deliver silverware this season and make promises about player recruitment in the summer. After a tough start in the Bundesliga Die Roten have moved to the top of the table and have also qualified for the last sixteen of the Champions League after an away goals victory over Fiorentina.