Franck Ribery’s future is less clear than ever after Bayern Munich denied earlier suggestions they are willing to sell the France international.
Quotes attributed to Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer in Wednesday’s Sport Bild magazine heavily hinted that the club would ‘deal with the issue’ if Ribery showed a real intention to leave.
The German club have now moved to dismiss any such sentiments via a press release designed to negate the original article, which they believe ‘does not reflect the truth’.
"There is no such resolution by the advisory board of FC Bayern Munich AG which includes the issue of a sale of the player Franck Ribery," explained the statement.
"The transfer of a player does not need the approval of the advisory board, according to the constitution of the FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors.
"The FC Bayern Munich AG board of directors have made the overwhelming resolution that the player Franck Ribery is not for sale."
Such unequivocal words would appear to be a blow to a lengthy list of Ribery suitors that is known to include the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona.