Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is one of the most sought after players in the world, the French international being continually linked with a host of European giants.

However, the 26-year-old has now revealed that he will only leave his current club for Barcelona or Real Madrid, thus ruling out a move to English titans Chelsea and Manchester United.

“I haven’t made a decision about my future yet. I still have a lot of doubts about what’s best for me, but I have some preferences. If I decide to leave Bayern Munich, it will be for a Spanish club,” said Ribery to Sport Bild.

“I have to think about what my family wants as well and my wife would be delighted to move to Spain. She doesn’t like all the rain and snow and is reluctant to go to England.

“It’s now up to me to decide whether I want to stay at Bayern or join a Spanish giant such as Barcelona or Real Madrid. Whatever my decision will be, I want to sign a five-year contract or so if I sign a deal somewhere.”

Ribery is being plagued by injury this term and has dropped to 224th spot in the Castrol Rankings as a result.

Inter are so certain of landing Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas at the end of the season, they have taken out an insurance policy against him becoming injured in future, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Despite Fabregas being under contract with Arsenal, Inter have reportedly added his name to their insurance policy which applies to every player under contract with them, such is the guarantee that the Spanish international will join Jose Mourinho’s side.

Fabregas could form a formidable partnership with Esteban Cambiasso in central midfield should the audacious move come to fruition, and Mourinho will adapt his formation to play with the Gunner in mind.

It’s no secret the ‘Special One’ is a keen admirer of the former Barcelona player and part of the deal will see troubled striker Mario Balotelli join Arsenal. The Italian under-21 striker has often been linked with a move to north London?.

Such a move is rare in football in terms of clubs taking out insurance policies to protect players before their arrival, but reports in Italy are certain this has happened, fuelling speculation that Fabregas has already decided to join Inter at the end of the season.

“Fabregas is not yet under contract at Inter, but he will be. Fabregas to Inter. You have understood well,” is what the reporter from Sky Sport Italia said when their news bulletin was aired on Tuesday afternoon.

Milan coach Leonardo has backed Ronaldinho to play for Brazil at the World Cup.

Ronaldinho has been ignored by Carlos Dunga, and there are doubts as to whether the playmaker will be heading off to South Africa.

The former Barcelona ace has often said good form with Milan would open the doors for him. And Leonardo sees no reason why he shouldn’t be granted a place.

“Dunga has created a foundation and he wants to maintain it,” Leonardo told the press.

“But when a player is doing well and the World Cup is near, then that player should be considered.

“Ronaldinho is enjoying a good moment. As for the rest, I think Dunga is thinking about him.”?

Melbourne Victory striker and World Cup 2010 hopeful Archie Thompson has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the year with a knee injury.

The 31 year-old striker ruptured the anteior cruciate and medial ligaments in his left knee during the opening stages of the A-League Grand Final on Saturday evening, with an MRI scan confirming he will be sidelined for months.

Despite not being a regular part of Pim Verbeek’s Australia squads during his tenure, the in-form forward was part of the traveling party to Germany 2006 and was widely considered a good chance of going to South Africa.

Now his focus will turn to returning next season, where he has vowed to come back “bigger and stronger”.

“I’m so disappointed,” Thompson said. “[The Grand Final] was such a big game for the club and the supporters and this year was going to be such a big year with the AFC Champions League and World Cup to come.

“But I’m going to come back bigger and stronger. What doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.”

Tottenham Hotspur midfield powerhouse Wilson Palacios has rubbished reports that he wants to move to a bigger club, insisting he is happy in north London.

The 25-year-old was recently linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid but claims he is only concerned with earning a Champions League spot with Spurs.

The Honduras international, who will represent his country in this year’s World Cup, was quoted in The Sun as saying: “The truth is I’m very, very happy here. My team-mates have really helped me to settle in.

“We have worked very hard to get to fourth position.

“I think if we keep on working hard we can achieve what we want.

Palacios added: “We are in a great position and we are all very concentrated on keeping that fourth spot.”

According to Al Heddaf, Algerian international midfielder Hassan Yebda is headed back to England after having spent 20 days undergoing intensive treatment on his knee in France.

The former Benfica player has been struggling with pain in his meniscus and was even advised by some doctors recently to have surgery now rather than later but decided against that option given that any complications would likely mean he would miss this summer’s World Cup.

Instead, Yebda has opted to undergo treatment on the knee to reduce the pain and reports out of Algiers indicate that the prognosis is good and that he will be fit enough to wear a Fennecs jersey this summer in South Africa.

Nevertheless, the 25-year-old will have to prove to his national team coach, Rabah Saadane, that he is ready for the rigours of the game in the coming weeks as the trainer has already warned his players that anyone who is not at 100 per cent or on the verge of it would not be called up.

It is widely expected that Yebda will undergo surgery right after the football showcase comes to a close. His recovery from such a surgery could reportedly take anywhere from four to eight weeks.

Juventus director Roberto Bettega has quashed the persistent rumours surrounding Gianluigi Buffon, saying that the goalkeeper will stay with the Turin outfit.

Buffon has been linked with a move away from the Bianconeri this summer, but Bettega has labelled the Italy shot-stopper as “untouchable”, dismissing earlier reports that the 32-year-old was gearing up to leave the Old Lady.

“In regards to what was written about Buffon and his possible sale, I want to reassure the fans that Gigi is untouchable. He will remain at Juventus,” the director affirmed.

Bettega is also confident that the Bianconeri can shake off their recent woes and put together a positive performance against Napoli on Thursday night.

“I am confident that the team will quickly return to showing what they can do, and what they did only recently. All the players will be ready and focused on Thursday’s match,” he said.

Buffon has been linked to Manchester United, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Real Madrid Vs Villarreal (1-0) Amazing Goal Cristiano Ronaldo 21/02/10

man utd 2-1 liverpool.

Inter have lost striker Diego Milito to injury for Wednesday’s clash against Livorno, according to Sky Sport Italia.

Milito hobbled off the training pitch on Tuesday morning with a problem and he was accompanied to the dressing room by medical staff.

He did not come back out to finish off the session, leading to speculative reports that he will miss the Serie A fixture at San Siro. Inter have not confirmed the extent of his injury, and he is likely to have further tests later.

It’s not good news for coach Jose Mourinho as he will be without Wesley Sneijder, who has muscular fatigue, and Dejan Stankovic is suspended.

There are also heavy doubts on whether Mario Balotelli will be reinstated back into the squad after he was seen wearing a Milan shirt after a TV show prank.

The Italian youngster has not played since March 7 following a number of alleged arguments with his coach.