Jose Bosingwa Was Offered along with £56 Million for Franck Ribery, Claims Rummenigge

Bayern Munich have revealed that they went to extraordinary lengths in order to keep Franck Ribery at the club.

Not too long ago, the French international was one of the sought-after players across Europe in football. In his prime, he was able to dominate German football like none other player. The 33-year-old looks set to retire at the Allianz Arena, but Bayern chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge claimed that the winger came close to joining clubs across European football. Chelsea are thought to have registered the biggest interest in the player. Back in 2007, there were a lot of rumours about the blues going out with a £40 million bid in order to bring the player to Stamford Bridge.

It did not materialise and it is believed that their last offer for the player was a £56 million cash offer along with defender José Bosingwa. The Portuguese defender had joined the club for around £16 million.

Thus, the total valuation of the deal was in excess of £70 million, which would have been a world record back then.Rummenigge has also revealed that Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United were also interested in signing the winger. Yet, Bayern were able to resist all those attempts. Bosingwa is now a free agent after leaving Trabzonspor in the summer.

“Of course I thought about a move. In 2008 or 2009, every big club wanted me: Juventus, Inter, Milan, Barca, Real, Chelsea, Manchester. In hindsight, I have to thank UliHoeness and Rummenigge for speaking regularly to me back then. I’ve now been here for ten years and have won everything. My family is doing well and I am happy. I have always said Bayern are my last club in Europe. I will play until my knee, my ankle or my back say ‘stop’. If I remain free of injury, I might still have two or three more years at the top level,” said Ribery.