Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge yesterday admitted they may not extend French midfielder Franck Ribery's contract and a decision may only come after June's World Cup.
The 26-year-old Ribery has a Bayern contract until June 2011 and Bayern are keen to extend his deal this season or risk losing him on a free transfer in 18 months.
After dozens of eye-catching performances since he arrived in Munich in 2007, Ribery has been linked to European giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, but Rummenigge insists Bayern will decide where he plays.
"Our first goal is to sign a contract extension with him," Rummenigge told German magazine Kicker after the Bundesliga leaders paid Marseille 25 million euros for Ribery nearly three years ago.
"But I will say this clearly: anyone who believes that we will sell Franck automatically at the end of the season if there is no extension is making an error.
"Bayern Munich will decide where Franck plays next season."