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Nine Will Leave And Ribery Won't Arrive - Real Madrid President Florentino Perez

Real Madrid maybe forced to look elsewhere for one key position, while a huge number of players will be seeking new clubs...

Jun 10, 2009 11:55:50 AM

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Florentino Perez, Real Madrid (FIRO)

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Franck Ribéry

Florentino Perez has admitted that there is nothing that he can do to sign Franck Ribery as long as Bayern Munich do not want to sell. He also revealed that at least nine players will leave the Bernabeu this summer.

Real Madrid's president was forthright as he explained the situation surrounding one of his key targets, while he also lamented the club's youth production line.

Ribery has been on Madrid's wanted list for some time and despite Zinedine Zidane's best efforts, Bayern have not been willing to sell; a stance Perez respects.

"Ribery belongs to Bayern and Bayern do not want to sell him," he told TVE's Radiogaceta de los Deportes programme.

"I have to respect what the club want. But it would be a different matter if they were to change their opinion."

Speculation is rife regarding who will stay at Madrid this year and Perez has now stated that a huge number of players will leave to reduce the squad to 25.

"At least nine players of the current first-team will leave the club," he explained.

With so few home-grown players being promoted in recent seasons, Perez stated that he is surprised to see some former Madrid youngsters performing well at other clubs.

"It is a shame because in the past few years there have been players that have not been at the required level when they have played for our teams," he said.

"But when they have left they have improved, like with [Alvaro] Negredo and [Juan] Mata."

The signing of Kaka drew all the headlines in recent days and Perez was keen to explain that it was no easy task persuading the player to move and AC Milan to sell.

"The negotiations were not at all easy," he stated. "Kaka is a Real Madrid player for two reasons.

"One because he wanted to be and secondly because of the friendship and collaboration of Adriano Galliani who has done all he can to make the player happy.

"Kaka is the type of player that will boost the morale of Madrid fans and will enthuse them."

Lucas Brown, Goal.com

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