Four top European football clubs have set eyes on Bayern Munich's France playmaker Franck Ribery, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge revealed on Tuesday.
Rummenigge claimed Chelsea, Manchester United and Barcelona have made offers for Ribery, while previously, Spanish Real Madrid had openly claimed the bid for the 26-year-old French midfielder.
"We are relaxed and proud that we have one of the best three players in the world under contract," Rummenigge said in an interview with Bild newspaper.
"Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and his advisor Pedro Jimenez asked if we were willing to speak with them over a transfer but we rejected the chance and we have no intention of selling Ribery," he added.
Asked if Madrid made an offer, he replied: "No but other clubs have done. Chelsea have lodged a bid, as have Manchester United and Barcelona. We are completely relaxed about it. The power lies with Bayern Munich."
Bayern have repeatedly insisted Ribery is not for sale, and Rummenigge is adamant the club will not relent and cash in on their prize asset.
"I don't want to talk about sums of money because it is not in our interest. The amount is irrelevant," Rummenigge said.
"There is always going to be the perception that Bayern Munich are trying to push the price up and that there is a certain value at which we'll have to accept, but I'll say it again: we want to keep Ribery," he said.
"A player has to respect his contract, in his case until 2011. He is on holiday now and then we want to have a successful season with Franck next year," he added.
(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2009)
