RIBERY SET FOR LYON

Lyon seem almost certain to sign Franck Ribery as reports say he wants to stay in France. French paper Le Parisien claims that Ribery has said he is ready to leave Marseille for Lyon. A club statement by Lyon reads:

"Olympique Lyon welcome the information given by Le Parisien saying Franck Ribery has decided to come to Lyon.

"This information does not come from Lyon. However, if it were confirmed, it would be great news for Lyon, the France team and French football because it would mean one of the great hopes of French football, who has been targeted by several big European clubs, stays in Ligue 1.

"We would like to remind that Olympique Marseille chairman Pape Diouf, who knows everything about transfers for having been a players' agent, said recently that it was difficult to make a player stay if he really wanted to leave."

It had been rumoured United were looking to offer around £9 million for him.