Real Madrid GM Pardeza: We forgot about Ribery long time ago

Real Madrid sports chief Miguel Pardeza insist they dropped their pursuit of Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery well before this week's transfer deadline.

He said: "Real forgot about Ribery a long time ago."

"True, we tried for him, but we also were determined not to fall out publicly with Bayern. In such a situation, the only thing Real Madrid could do was ask about the player's availability and be respectful to the directors at Bayern."