Bayern Munich have confirmed that they will hold contract talks with Franck Ribery in early March.
Bundesliga giants hoping to persuade Frenchman to pen new deal
Bayern Munich have confirmed that they will hold contract talks with Franck Ribery in early March.
The German giants are desperate to end confusion regarding the playmaker's future, with speculation continuing to link him with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea.
The France international is contracted to Bayern until 2011, but the Bundesliga outfit are wary of losing him for nothing at that point.
They have made it clear that they will sell him in the summer if the situation remains the same come the end of the season, while Ribery has also announced that he wants the issue resolved by the time he heads off on World Cup duty.
Bayern are still hopeful that they can convince the 26-year-old to remain in Germany and are planning to discuss their plans with the talismanic midfielder over the coming weeks.
Director of Sport Christian Nerlinger said on Bayern's
official website: "Franck came to us once in the summer.
No pressure
"He said he felt very much at home in Munich and was grateful to the club, but there was one alternative which he could imagine himself taking. We declined, and the matter was closed internally.
"Franck has always behaved correctly, and I won't hear a word said against him in this respect.
"We won't put him under pressure. We'll sit down with him and talk in early March. We'll set out our position, and he'll explain his, and we'll see if we can agree. It matters a lot to me that the process is fair and respectful."
Nerlinger has also revealed that Bayern will not be pursuing their interest in Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
The Germany international is among the most highly-rated shot-stoppers in Europe, but his current employers have made it clear that they are not prepared to let him leave.
"I have been talking to Felix Magath (Schalke manager) and he has told me that Manuel Neuer is not for sale," Nerling said in
Deutsches SportFernsehen.
"This is where we stand and this means that a deal will not be possible."
