Ribery sends the wrong message

By Mike Diamente | 15th March 2010

Ribery sends the wrong message | read this item

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Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery’s latest actions have again led many to believe that the Frenchman will be on his way out of Germany at the end of the season.

Ribery was formally approached by the ownership of Bayern Munich regarding a contract extension as they hope to sign the winger to a long term deal. However, Ribery told the club to wait until the end of the season to discuss a future deal. Ribery has been linked to Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Chelsea this season, and it is assumed that at least all three clubs will make an offer for Ribery once the transfer window opens.

Ribery’s decision to wait until the end of the season to discuss a new contract is curious. For starters, Ribery cannot claim to be waiting until the end of the season because he doesn’t want it to become a distraction for the team. His proposed move to Madrid have already become headline news and a distraction for Bayern, and putting off definitive career deciding talks for another few months will only increase speculation.

While I can understand that it is important for Ribery to be focusing on football at the moment and not contract negotiations, rebuffing Bayern Munich does nothing to ease their worries over whether or not he will leave this summer.

Franz Beckenbauer said of Franck Ribery “We should definitely lean a long way out of the window to keep hold of him.”

Ribery has scored three goals for Bayern Munich this season.