Bayern won't even discuss selling Ribery - Hoeness

Bayern Munich will not discuss selling midfielder Franck Ribery even if they receive an offer of more than 70 million euros, club manager Uli Hoeness said yesterday. Ribery said earlier this month he wanted to leave the German club after two seasons...

Bayern Munich will not discuss selling midfielder Franck Ribery even if they receive an offer of more than 70 million euros, club manager Uli Hoeness said yesterday.

Ribery said earlier this month he wanted to leave the German club after two seasons and join Real Madrid, but Bayern have said he will play out his contract running to 2011.

"He will certainly stay," Hoeness told reporters, a day after Ribery pulled out of training for the second time in the past few days citing a knee injury.

"We are not prepared to talk, not even for 70 million or more," said Hoeness.

Real have been trying to buy the gifted 26-year-old France playmaker after already signing Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil playmaker Kaka and France striker Karim Benzema but Bayern have insisted he is not for sale.

Hoeness also dismissed media speculation that Ribery pulled out of training to pressure the club into selling him.

"If he is injured he is injured. Just like anybody else," he said.

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