Looking forward: Ribery (right) looks set to move
to Spain this summer
Franck Ribery has delivered a crushing snub to
Chelsea by insisting he will
move to Spain if he leaves Bayern Munich this summer.
The France winger has put off contract talks with the German
giants and admits he is struggling to make a decision about where
he should play next season. But the 26-year-old is certain that he
won't be the man to add a bit of fantasy to Chelsea's Champions
League failures.
'Although Chelsea are obviously a big club, if I were
to decide against Bayern, then I would certainly go to Spain,'
Ribery told Sport Bild
magazine.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is understood to be a huge
admirer of the former Marseille star and would have been prepared
to bankroll a British-record bid, but Ribery's wife appears to have
scuppered the move.
Ribery revealed his Algerian partner Wahiba had struggled to
make friends in Munich and is not fond of the cold winters, but he
has not closed the door on signing a new five-year deal at
Bayern.
'I can assure you that no decision has yet been taken,' he said.
'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.
Centre of attention: Ribery is coveted by Europe's
top teams
Fitting in: Ribery and his wife Wahiba dress up for
Oktoberfest
'My wife is from the south, she needs sun,' said Ribery.
'There are many things to keep in mind, I think about my
family.
'Here it rains and even snows. She (Wahiba) is often alone when
I am not there. She doesn't have many friends, but it doesn't mean
that we don't feel good in Munich.
'Bayern are a great club who want to offer me the best
conditions ever. I feel a lot of respect and love here. "The
decision will not be made with my bank account, but in my
head.'
Bayern are desperate to keep their star man and had initially
set a deadline for the end of March to conclude talks. However, the
player has tried to stall negotiations and is ready to spark a
scrap between Barcelona and Real Madrid for his signature.
His employers have conceded they will be forced to sell this
summer if they fail to convince him to pen a new contract,
otherwise he could leave on a Bosman free at the end of next
season.
Manchester United also
enquired about Ribery after selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real
Madrid last summer, but they backed off at Bayern's request.
'Real and Barcelona are, perhaps alongside Manchester United and
Chelsea, above all other clubs,' said Ribery. 'I am also only
human. If you have an offer from such a club you should be allowed
to consider it. It's where the world's best players play.
Admitting that a decision could be made 'very quickly' in the
next few weeks, insisting that sporting considerations rather than
money will prove the decisive factor.
'Barcelona have built a team for the term,' he said. 'Everyone
in the world knows how they play. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have
invested heavily in superstars, but something is missing.
Red face: Robben (right) claims he didn't advise
Ribery
'Right now I am pondering what is the most attractive
option. Madrid have prestige despite failing in the last 16 of the
Champions League for the last six seasons.'
Arjen Robben has comments that seemed to suggest Ribery should
join Barcelona rather than Real Madrid.
The Holland international, who spent two seasons at Madrid prior
to his move to Bayern last summer, told Radio Marca: 'I never said
that. He has the quality to play for
both teams, but what I prefer is for him to stay at Munich.
Hopefully he will continue with us. I love playing alongside
him.'
