Bayern Munich could be preparing for next season without Franck Ribery after the club’s general manager suggested that Diego would be approached as his replacement.
Barcelona are said to be favourites to prise the French star away from the Bavarian giants, but denials have been made by the hierarchy at the Allianz Arena with regard to the continuing rumours.
That is until director Uli Hoeness revealed that should an offer be made that Bayern cannot refuse then Werder Bremen would receive a bid from them for Diego almost immediately.
“If Ribery does go then Diego will be a player that we will certainly be looking to sign,” he is quoted as saying by Bild.
While Ribery has said that he is only focussing on helping the Bundesliga side in their last few games, he has made it clear through various sources that a move to Barcelona would be his preference.
Only last week the former Marseille wide-man explained that should Bayern fail to qualify for the Champions League next term then it would be difficult to stay.
Real Madrid are also said to be interested in Ribery’s services, with Zinedine Zidane hopeful of persuading his compatriot to join him in Florentino Perez’s new look setup, but that is thought to be unlikely.
Ribery was enamoured by his visit to Camp Nou recently with Bayern in Europe and knows that should he move to Barca then he will already have several friends there.
Diego has been targeted by a number of other major clubs, but could be tempted by a year at the Allianz Arena, where he will be made the star attraction.
Lucas Brown, Goal.com