You are here: Home > News > World News > Hoeness Reveals Blues Ribery Bid

Wednesday, 10 February 2010

World News Hoeness Reveals Blues Ribery Bid

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has revealed his club received a bid of 65 million euros plus Jose Bosingwa from Chelsea for Franck Ribery in the summer.

Chelsea were one of several clubs interested in the French winger, and their bid was not the most financially lucrative either, but Hoeness told Bild newspaper that it was the "best bid".

However, it still fell short of the Bavarian club's 100-million euro valuation of the 26-year-old, which is why they turned the Blues down.

"We never received an offer over 100 million," he said. "The best bid game from Chelsea: 65 million plus the player Bosingwa.

"We also received other offers of 76 and 80 million."

However, Hoeness denies ever being truly tempted into selling Ribery, who he claims had not demanded a move either.

"He never came to us and said he wanted to leave at any price," revealed Hoeness.

"He always said to us that he would like to move to Real Madrid, but that if we wanted to keep him, then it was not a problem.

"(Selling him) was never a real consideration.

"However, we want to create the conditions which give Franck the feeling that he can achieve something here in Munich.

"If he cannot see this potential, then he will leave."

Bayern are currently struggling to provide the France international with these conditions and they could be dumped out of the Champions League on Tuesday night should Juventus defeat Bordeaux, regardless of how Bayern fare against Maccabi Haifa.

This would inevitably make Ribery's name one of the most frequently mentioned when the transfer market reopens in January, even though Hoeness reserves himself the final say on the issue.

"If FC Bayern says no, then Franck stays," he said.

Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association

Have YOUR say - What do you think about "Hoeness Reveals Blues Ribery Bid"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.