As the winter transfer window is approaching us, the player that is being talked about mostly is Franck Ribery.
The French international, who has suffered from injury most of the year and will likely miss the upcoming WC qualifiers against Ireland, has been linked to a number of teams throughout Europe again.
The team that seems to be getting most of the buzz is Manchester City. After Robinho announced that he would like to seek a transfer to Barcelona, Ribery was the first name mentioned has his possible replacement. According to a number of British newspapers, Man City is willing to offer Bayern Munich £65 million for the French midfielder.
Even though Man City plan on possibly dishing off Robinho, Barca have also stated in recent days that they are also considering going after Ribery. According to the website tribalfootball.com, Barca are stepping up their efforts to try to counter any possible offers by rival Spanish side Real Madrid.
Another team that is getting some attention is, of course, Real Madrid. RM, who were tying to get Ribery during the last transfer window, has also offered Bayern £65 million for Ribery, according to The Sun.
Other teams has been mentioned as well. Manchester United have been mentioned a few times, but the amount that United would pay for Ribery has been reported as much lower that Man City and RM, compared to what they offered for the player in the last transfer window, which was around the amount of $90 million.
Another team that ESPN reported about was Chelsea. Chelsea, the team that received a transfer ban, recently launched an appeal and asked if they could at least have this transfer window open before they go into a transfer hiatus. ESPN has reported that Chelsea would offer £60 million for Ribery. Still, we have to see what happens as far as the appeal.
During the last transfer window, Franz Beckenbauer said that Bayern would consider accepting offers for Ribery around the amount of £80 million. Beckenbauer said to German sports newspaper Sports Bild that he thought that any offer for Ribery should rival RM’s offer to Manchester United for Christiano Ronaldo. “Should Bayern let Ribery go? Of course we wish to get the market price. And if Cristiano Ronaldo is worth 94 million euros, then Franck Ribery is worth a comparable sum,” said Beckenbauer. He added “if we do not receive an offer at this level, then he should honour his contract until 2011.”
So, again, the transfer news for Franck Ribery continues. No matter where he goes, he seems to be unhappy. I am not sure if this will continue, but only time will tell if he will settle in well at his new team, whether it is in England, Spain or if he continues at Bayern until 2011. But he never seems to be happy.
But as of right now, Manchester City is the safe bet.
Filed under: French Players Abroad, Transfer News Tagged: | Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Franck Ribery, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid
