Ribery set to leave Bayern for Real

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich’s star player Franck Ribery has become the latest player in Europe, keen on a transfer to Real Madrid.

The France international confirmed that he wants to leave Bayern for Madrid, breaking silence for the first time after speculation surrounding his future began after the end of the Bundesliga season.

The former Marseilles player has admitted that he would jump at the chance of lining-up alongside players such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu.

Ribéry told L’Equipe: “I have decided that I want to leave. It will be Real Madrid or nothing. I will wait to see how things pan out but I would like to hold talks with the Bayern management soon.”

While Real have been keen on the 26 year-old player, Bayern have been offering stiff resistance and have been adamant on the player not leaving for Spain at any cost.

Ili Hoeness, the Bayern general manager, does not believe that Ribéry’s desire to leave alters their position. “Does Franck want to go to Real?” he asked.

“For us, that changes absolutely anything. Life is not always a fairytale.”

“Real have not made us a specific proposal and we do not need their money.”

Madrid took their summer spending to more than £184 million last night when they signed Benzema, the France forward, for an initial fee of £29.7 million.