Bayern Munich: Franck Ribery linked with a shock return to Bavaria

It has been an extraordinary week for football this week as Lionel Messi left FC Barcelona. The veteran forward will not be joining Bayern Munich, but there could be one sensational return to Bavaria before the end of the transfer window.

According to L’Equipe (via Footmercato), Franck Ribery has emerged as an option for Die Roten this summer. The French outlet insists that there have been no negotiations, but the German club is seriously considering the option of signing Ribery. The French winger prefers a move to Italy, but things could change if Bayern makes an offer.

Apart from L’Equipe, Gazzetta Dello Sport (via iMiaSanMia) in Italy is also reporting that Ribery is becoming an appealing option for the German Champions. The French winger is currently a free agent after Fiorentina decided against extending his contract.

Franck Ribery has been spotted training at Sabner Strasse with former teammate Jerome Boateng to maintain fitness levels. Boateng is also looking for a new club after his contract with Die Roten came to an end in June.

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One year deal for Ribery will be sound business for Bayern Munich

Ribery left Bavaria two seasons ago as Die Roten decided to start building a squad for the future. Signing him again would be a massive u-turn, but things have changed a lot in the last two years. The pandemic has made sure that the finances of Rekordmeister have suffered. The club has lost close to €150 million in the last 18 months.

The current squad has three natural wingers in the form of Kingsley Coman, Leroy Sane, and Serge Gnabry. Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller can also fill in the wide positions if needed. Franck Ribery will act as a squad option by playing the role of the fourth winger. This role was occupied by Douglas Costa last season, but he went back to Juventus after his loan spell came to an end.

Ribery’s enormous experience in the Bundesliga and Bavaria will make sure that he will need next to no time to adapt. Moreover, his winning mentality will also rub onto other players in the dressing room. In terms of quality, Ribery managed to deliver some scintillating performances in Serie A last season to show that age is just a number.

Consider the tight transfer budget, bringing Ribery on a one-year deal will be decent short-term business for Die Roten. They can go full throttle for a midfielder with the funds in the remaining window by getting Ribery for wide areas. The German club can eventually look for a young winger next summer when things are somewhat back to normality.