Ribery Talks Did Happen

Marseille sporting director, Jose Anigo, has confirmed that Arsene Wenger has approached the French outfit with regards to French winger Franck Ribery, but no agreement had been reached as the Sky Sports website had suggested.

Speaking with the clubs official website, Anigo also made it clear that it is Marseille’s intentions to keep the player.

‘It is very clear that there is no agreement with Arsenal or with any other European club,’ Anigo said.

‘Indeed Arsenal did come to discuss with Pape [Diouf, Marseille president] and Arsene Wenger spoke to him about it, but there were also discussions with other large European clubs.

‘I could list them all but I would not have enough fingers on two hands to count them.’

‘Franck is much coveted for sure and he has a certain price today. But our objective is to reach a place in the Champions League and for that it is necessary to keep out best players,’

‘So I do not see why we would discuss the departure of Franck, as we have high hopes and we want to keep our best elements to go in the right direction.

‘If we do not manage to qualify for the Champions League, inevitably it will be necessary to raise the question [of his departure].

‘But I repeat there is no agreement with Arsenal or another club, whether through me or Pape Diouf.’