Bayern's Ribery puts contract talks on hold

Soccer Betting Lines

03/16/2010 - Munich, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The future of France international Franck Ribery is once again a matter of conjecture after he told Bayern Munich that he was unwilling to open new contract talks with the club until the end of the season.

Ribery's current contract is not due to expire until the end of next season and he had previously hinted that he would be willing to start discussing new terms in March.

However, even though Bayern beat Fiorentina last week to move into the last eight of the Champions League, Ribery has told director of sport Christian Nerlinger that he is keeping his options open.

Nerlinger confirmed: "I spoke with him on Saturday and he said that he would prefer to concentrate on the sporting aspects at the moment.

"I have complete understanding for that and we can even wait until the end of the season before talking."

A wealth of clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona have all been linked with the 26-year-old in the past.

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)

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